Hiatal Hernia - A Summary

Of all the prevalent hernias hiatal hernia is the most difficult to diagnose and treat. All the other hernias can be reached easily but the hiatal hernia being situated in the interior of the thoracic cavity and being adjacent to extremely important structures like heart and lungs make surgery equally dangerous.

However it is said that prevention is better than cure. So if one leads the right type of life i.e. well organized, and without anxiety, lives on the right type of food, and proper exercise regimen one can avoid this ailment. If this disorder occurs even after all the preventive measures it can be treated conservatively and the situation can resolve with much less damage.  However heavy physical labor should be avoided at all times for patients of hiatal hernia as this is one of the main causes of hernia.

Proper medication and proper care should be the order of the day to resolve the problem. In cases where the patient is aged and hernioplasty is necessary immediate surgery with proper postoperative care is essential otherwise it might prove fatal. Postoperative lifestyle will have direct effect on the consequence of surgery and will determine if there will be any complications of the surgery or not.

Rest, avoiding spicy food, regular exercise, low body weight and proper medications will help to prevent and ameliorate GERD symptoms and in turn will prevent the aggravation of hiatal hernia. Presence of allergies should be ascertained and treated accordingly as any sort of shock and anxiety may result in aggravation of dyspeptic symptoms. It is seen that diaphragmatic irritation causes diaphragmatic spasms or hiccoughs. This spasm if continued for a long time can be debilitating and can precipitate hiatal hernia. So it should be treated with lots of fluids like water so that it is resolved immediately.