A Vicious Circle of GERD and Hiatal Hernia

Ectopic situation of organs through a muscular wall such as the diaphragm is called hernia.  The most common type of diaphragmatic hernia being sliding hiatal hernia, in which a part of the fundus and the antrum of the stomach ends up, in the chest cavity.  If this condition is left untreated it may lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, heartburn, cough and dysphagia.

If anyone experiences the above discussed symptoms one should see a physician immediately.  Other lesser symptoms may be dizziness, burning in the stomach or esophagus, hoarseness of voice, dyspnea on exertion, and stomach cramps. Mostly hiatal hernia is treated symptomatically.  The patient is given medication for hyperacidity but it is equally important to adopt changes in lifestyle to combat the situation. 

All the medications used have some side effects which will be detrimental to the human body in some way or the other but even then they are used as the therapeutic effects of the medications outweigh the detrimental side effects and medication combinations help to fight the disease as well as the side effects themselves leading to amelioration of the symptoms.  The good effect one can harvest by changing the lifestyle and diet to suit the malady is unlimited as that does not possess any detrimental effects on the health.  Treatment through management and using the least amount of medication is the best possible method.

The best method to combat hyperacidity and GERD is through organizing the lifestyle to forego anxiety, avoiding long intervals between meals, and avoiding spicy food.  If chronic GERD is not treated properly it may lead to cancer.  In cases where the acid had damaged the diaphragm even after surgical repair the patient has to undertake regular exercise regimes. Healthy eating habits will also be of immense help. A combination of all these factors will definitely help in fighting a condition like hiatal hernia.