Hiatal Hernia and GERD treated at Palmyra Surgical Macon, GA

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be caused by a number of different things and certain factors could put you at an increased risk for developing the disorder. Hiatal hernia and GERD commonly occur together and correction of the hernia often resolves GERD.

What is a Hiatal Hernia?

A hiatal hernia is when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. Normally, your diaphragm has a small opening, called the hiatus. Your esophagus passes through this hiatus just above the level where the esophagus connects to the stomach. A hiatal hernia develops when part of your stomach pushes up into the chest and through that opening. There are two types of hiatal hernias—sliding and paraesophageal.

Possible causes of Hiatal Hernias include:

Weakened muscle tissue
Injury to the area
Chronic and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles
Being born with an abnormal or unusually large hiatus
Smoking

Hiatal hernias are generally common in individuals who are obese or over the age of 50.

Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia and GERD

Generally, small hiatal hernias won’t present any symptoms. You may have lived with a hernia for years without even knowing it until discovered by a doctor or medical professional. However, if the hernia is larger, it will cause greater than normal pressure on the stomach and force stomach contents through the valve at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This allows undigested foods and stomach acid to come back into your esophagus. This is when GERD develops. When this occurs, you will most likely experience the frequent symptoms of GERD including:

Burning sensations in the chest
Sore throat
Difficulty swallowing
Frequent burping or belching

Treatment of Hiatal Hernia and GERD

Normally, small hiatal hernias go unnoticed and do not require medical treatment. However, if GERD has developed and symptoms persist, it may mean that the hernia is larger and should be treated. Treatments for the condition begins with controlling the symptoms that accompany it. These symptoms are usually associated with GERD so treatment options include:

Over the counter medication. This includes basic antacids and digestive aids.
Prescription medication. Prescriptions from your doctor will usually include proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers.
Lifestyle changes. Changing your eating and sleeping habits is an important step in treatment. Quitting smoking and losing weight can also be helpful in treating GERD and a hiatal hernia.

These treatments should ease your symptoms of GERD and will also help to heal the lining of the esophagus and the surrounding (weakened) tissue and muscles if stomach acid has damaged them.
If the above treatments don’t manage symptoms well enough, hernia surgery (usually in addition to GERD surgery) is usually necessary to repair the hernia. This surgery involves putting your stomach back into your abdomen and making the hiatus smaller to prevent reoccurrence.
If you have been experiencing painful and disruptive symptoms of GERD and are concerned that you may be suffering from a hiatal hernia it is important to seek medical treatment. Dr. Bagnato can then help with a treatment plan to ensure that your day to day life is no longer interrupted by uncomfortable GERD.

From the Palmyra Surgical Blog

Cooking Tips for Heartburn-Friendly Meals
For someone with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eating certain foods can cause extreme acid reflux and heartburn. Learn how to cook without the heartburn with these healthy tips.
Weight Loss for GERD
Losing weight may provide relief from chronic heartburn, even for those who struggle with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Overweight and obese men and women struggle with acid reflux disease at a much higher prevalence rate than their healthy-weight counterparts.
Smoking: A Culprit in the World of Reflux
In the past two decades, a lot of research has come out about tobacco use—and the news hasn’t been good for tobacco companies. Whereas once smoking appeared to be a harmless pastime, something that just about everyone did, inside and outdoors, that isn’t the game anymore. Tobacco use continues to decline across the United States, but there are still a lot of people out there who smoke at least somewhat regularly. By the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease and Control, about 18% of US adults use tobacco products in some form or another.
For Acid Reflux, Put the Soda Down
Soda is hands-down one of the most popular drinks in the United States. This can be proven on the number of sales alone. Based on national sale data, there is enough soda sold annually for every adult to drink a full 45 gallons of soda per year. There are aquariums sold that are smaller than that! But when you stop and think about it, there is really no wonder as to why soda is such a major drink in our diets. The beverage is filled with sugar, and most of our favorite sodas pack enough caffeine to help us power through a busy afternoon at work.
Acid Reflux More Common than Ever
Americans are dealing with more health problems now than they ever had in the past. This is based on statistical data that finds that chronic diseases are pretty much on the rise across the board. One of the biggest causes of this startling rise in health problems is obesity, which directly affects more than one-third of the US adult population, with another third being overweight and at risk.