Hiatal Hernia ???

[Leslie]

I need to talk with someone that has had a hiatal Hernia and sucessfully treated it... naturally... homeopathy, accupuncture.. ?? what did you use?

and/or

a practitioner that has had success treating a Hiatal Hernia.

Thank you,

Leslie

[Sylph]

I don’t think the alternative treatments you mentioned will be of too much effect. Hiatal hernia and GERD are potentially very serious and can cause long-term damage to your esophagus. I do think there is good evidence for dietary modification to help hiatal hernia.

Good luck, I know it's a miserable syndrome!

Dr. McDougall has some definite ideas about this problem.

About diet and GI disease, including hiatal hernia:
eThe next diet modification is that of switching from a low fiber diet to a high fiber diet. Principally Dr. Denis Burkitt7 is responsible for the diet fiber hypothesis which is gaining increasing evidence and popularity. The idea is simple but the results can be far reaching. Dietary fiber is primarily complex carbohydrate that we cannot digest with the enzymes available in our gastrointestinal tract. These pass through the bowel and are excreted in the stool. Dr. Burkitt, who worked many years in Africa, noticed that many disorders of the bowel were not seen in African populations who ingested diets low in animal fat and high in fiber. These disorders include carcinoma of the colon, diverticulitis, appendicitis, hiatal hernia and hemorrhoids. The proposed mechanism by which fiber prevents these various diseases is simple. Larger stools have shorter transient times, i.e. the time from the mouth to the anus is shortened from the average 4-5 days in the American eating low fiber diet to two days. The shorter transient times mean less exposure of the colon to the carcinogens present in our stools-namely bile salts and cholesterol esters. Moreover, these carcinogens are diluted in the large volume of fiber in the stool. Carcinoma of the colon is the most frequent cancer in men (cancer of the colon kills less than cancer of the lung since it kills only about half of its victims). Colon cancer's elimination by itself would be worth the trouble of eating more fiber.

The other diseases prevented by fiber ingestion are not as lethal but are frequent and disabling. All these diseases are postulated to be secondary to high intraluminal pressure in the colon and abdominal cavity required to eliminate small, compact stools. High pressure in the colon causes the impaction of the fecalith that obstructs the appendix and leads to appendicitis; high colon pressures cause the veins to dilate leading to hemorrhoids and the colon walls to weaken leading to diverticulitis. Increased intrabdominal pressure may well be responsible for hiatal hernia.

Practically, in order to get enough fiber in our diet, unprocessed food should be eaten instead of refined. Whole grain should be substituted for white, fruit for candies. Such a diet may not always be convenient. Dr. Burkitt suggest that two tablespoons of bran daily, by itself, is sufficient for colon protection. This simple regimen should prevent much chronic bowel disease.
Science in Christian Perspective (https://www.asa3.org/asa/PSCF/1981/JASA3-81Hollman.html)

The McDougall Newsletter V1No1P2 (https://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall0202pu1.htm)
From Dr. McDougall:
Most of my patients throw away their antacids on the first day of my program at St. Helena Hospital and never have to use them again unless they eat foods that are known to bother them. I also see almost overnight improvement in asthma, hoarseness, chronic cough, and sinusitis. They follow a diet based on starches with the addition of fruits and vegetables. Most of the food is cooked. In the beginning, their stomach and esophagus may be so raw from years of over-acidity and acid reflux that even water causes pain -- they have to allow a few days for the inflammation to quiet down. In the interim period they sometimes benefit from antacids in the form of liquids or tablets to neutralize the acid, or pills to stop the production of acid. Raising the head of the bed by four to six inches by placing bricks or wood blocks under the head posts is of great help for those with the most reflux. In those very sensitive cases, extra care must be taken to eat small meals of plain, well-cooked, starches, vegetables and fruits. Spices should be avoided; however, sugar and salt are well-tolerated. Water should be the initial beverage in those with the most severe symptoms.

Even though considerable damage may have already occurred, to the point of causing LES dysfunction and a hiatal hernia, almost every patient can find relief with these simple steps, low in cost and free of side effects:

Ten Actions To Take To Quench the Fire

1.

Consume a plant-based diet, low in fat and high in fiber
2.

Avoid foods which aggravate the indigestion, such as raw onions, green peppers, cucumbers, radishes, and fruit juices, and hot spices
3.

Eat small meals frequently – Do not over-distend your stomach
4.

Lose weight if you are obese, and wear loose clothing
5.

Give up regular and decaffeinated coffee
6.

Whenever possible avoid medications which lower LES
7.

Raise the head of the bed four to six inches (extra pillows will not help – they only bend you at the middle)
8.

Avoid lying down within three hours of eating
9.

Stop cigarettes and alcohol
10.

Take antacid medications as a last resort.

References:
1. Bolin TD. Heartburn: community perceptions. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2000 Jan;15(1):35-9.

2. Revicki DA. The impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on health-related quality of life. Am J Med. 1998 Mar;104(3):252-8.

3. Glise H. Quality of Life assessments in the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease before, during and after treatment. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1995;208:133-5.

4. Prescription drug expenditures in the year 2000. Upward trend continue. A research report by The National Institute for Health Care Management. National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation (https://www.nihcm.org/).

5. Nebel O. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors Am J Dig Dis 21:953-6, 1976.

6. Schroeder P. Dental erosion and acid reflux disease. Ann Intrn Med 122:809-15, 1995.

7. Simpson W. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and asthma. Diagnosis and management. Arch Intrn Med 155: 798-803, 1995.

8. Hogan W. Medical treatment of supraesophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Am J Med. 2001 Dec 3;111 Suppl 8A:197S-201S.

9. Sontag SJ Defining GERD. Yale J Biol Med. 1999 Mar-Jun;72 (2-3):69-80.

10. Scheppach W. Beneficial health effects of low-digestible carbohydrate consumption. Br J Nutr. 2001 Mar;85 Suppl 1:S23-30.
11. Iacono G. Intolerance of cow's milk and chronic constipation in children. N Engl J Med. 1998 Oct 15;339(16):1100-4.

12. Woodward M. The prevalence of dyspepsia and use of antisecretory medication in North Glasgow: role of Helicobacter pylori vs. lifestyle factors. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Nov;13(11):1505-9.

13. Childs, P. Dietary fat, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, and diabetes. Br J Surg 59:669-95, 1972.

14. Holloway RH Effect of intraduodenal fat on lower oesophageal sphincter function and gastro-oesophageal reflux.Gut. 1997 Apr;40(4):449-53.

15. Becker D. A comparison of high and low fat meals on postprandial esophageal acid exposure. Am J Gastroenterol. 1989 Jul;84(7):782-6.

16. Holloway RH. Gastric distention: a mechanism for postprandial gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroenterology. 1985 Oct;89(4):779-84.

17. Allen ML The effect of raw onions on acid reflux and reflux symptoms.
Am J Gastroenterol. 1990 Apr;85(4):377-80.

18. Murphy D. Chocolate and heartburn: evidence of increased esophageal acid exposure after chocolate ingestion. Am J Gastroenterol. 1988 Jun;83(6):633-6.

19. Babka J. On the genesis of heartburn. The effects of specific foods on the lower esophageal sphincter. Am J Dig Dis. 1973 May;18(5):391-7.

22. Szarka L. Practical pointers for grappling with GERD. Heartburn gnaws at quality of life for many patients. Postgrad Med. 1999 Jun;105(7):88-90, 95-8, 103-6.

21. Price S. Food sensitivity in reflux esophagitis. Am J Gastroenterol 75: 240-243, 1978.

22. Van Deventer G. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure, acid secretion, and blood gastrin after coffee consumption. Dig Dis Sci. 1992 Apr;37(4):558-69.

23. Wendl B. Effect of decaffeination of coffee or tea on gastro-oesophageal reflux. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1994 Jun;8(3):283-7.

24. Pehl C. The effect of decaffeination of coffee on gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997 Jun;11(3):483-6.

25. Cohen S. Gastric acid secretion and lower-esophageal-sphincter pressure in response to coffee and caffeine. N Engl J Med. 1975 Oct 30;293(18):897-9.

26. Cohen S. Pathogenesis of coffee-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.
N Engl J Med. 1980 Jul 17;303(3):122-4.

27. Elta GH Comparison of coffee intake and coffee-induced symptoms in patients with duodenal ulcer, nonulcer dyspepsia, and normal controls. Am J Gastroenterol. 1990 Oct;85(10):1339-42.

28. Smit CF. Effect of cigarette smoking on gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2001 Feb;110(2):190-3.

29. Weinberg D. The diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Med Clin North Am. 1996 Mar;80(2):411-29.a

30. Hogan W. Ethanol-induced acute esophageal motor dysfunction. J Appl Physiol. 1972 Jun;32(6):755-60.

31. Cranley JP. Abnormal lower esophageal sphincter pressure responses in patients with orange juice-induced heartburn. Am J Gastroenterol. 1986 Feb;81(2):104-6.

32. Rodriguez S. Meal type affects heartburn severity. Dig Dis Sci. 1998 Mar;43(3):485-90.

33. Rodriguez S. The effects of capsaicin on reflux, gastric emptying and dyspepsia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Jan;14(1):129-34.

34. Farrow DC. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, use of H2 receptor antagonists, and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 2000 Mar;11(3):231-8.

35. Weinstein WM. Proton pump inhibitors and H. pylori infection: why the concern? Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 1999 Dec;1(6):507-10.

[Leslie]

Thank you for your through response. I really appreciate it

Leslie



I don’t think the alternative treatments you mentioned will be of too much effect. Hiatal hernia and GERD are potentially very serious and can cause long-term damage to your esophagus. I do think there is good evidence for dietary modification to help hiatal hernia.

Good luck, I know it's a miserable syndrome!

Dr. McDougall has some definite ideas about this problem.

About diet and GI disease, including hiatal hernia:...

[Bryan]

If you have heartburn symptoms (GERD?)- I recommend looking into Apple Cider Vinegar. It was very very effective for me to help that issue. It has helped a friend of mine too. The Apple Cider Vinegar program is becoming better known and is very good at helping keeping things moving.
I no longer use it as it seems to have help reset my digestion overall.

Also, cut down on meat and focus on vegetables (but Not starchy ones like bread or pasta but real vegetables).

Acid reflux / heartburn is very serious but these techniques helped me very quickly too.

No offense to the Dr., but I still like wine, cheese, coffee, chocolate, etc.

[Homomasculine man]

In what universe of denial were bread and pasta ever vegetables? Check out the South Beach diet: great nutrition, low carbs, proper height to weight maintenance. Two years on South Beach, ah....

[Leslie]

Thank you for your suggestions... I appreciate it..

not an easy one to deal with

Leslie