Hello Doctor,
I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia during an endoscopy two years ago, and I have been experiencing frequent acidity since then. What treatment options do you recommend for managing my symptoms?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.
This can lead to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) being positioned above the diaphragm, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus.
Treatment Options:
Weight Management:
Losing weight if overweight can help reduce the pressure on the stomach and improve symptoms.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes:
Avoiding late-night meals and snacks can reduce the likelihood of acid reflux during sleep.
Elevating the head of the bed by placing blocks under the bedposts or using a wedge pillow can help prevent acid reflux.
Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can help reduce stomach acid production and alleviate symptoms.
Antacids may also be used to neutralize stomach acid.
Surgical Intervention:
In severe cases or when other treatments fail, surgery may be recommended to repair the hernia and strengthen the LES.
Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF):
This is a minimally invasive procedure performed at specialized centers for small hiatal hernias (2 cm or less).
Thanks
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