Hiatal hernia surgery is usually performed to relieve reflux and heartburn. It may be possible to reduce the amount of heartburn you
experience by making changes to your lifestyle and diet. Hernia repair is not necessary in every case. Many people have hernias and
do not know it while others have mild symptoms that can be easily controlled through non-invasive means.
Sometimes hiatal hernia
surgery must be performed as emergency surgery because your organs slide through your diaphragm and twist. This is dangerous and there
is no alternative treatment for a hernia in that condition.
There is a new medical procedure being used today in place of hiatal
hernia surgery in some patients where it is appropriate. It is called endoluminal fundoplication. With this, your doctor inserts a
tube through your mouth into your esophagus. This tube contains a tiny camera so your doctor can see inside your esophagus. There
are also tiny surgical implements inside the tube that your doctor can use to apply clips to your esophagus. These clips prevent stomach
acid from coming up into your esophagus thereby preventing reflux and heartburn.
The goals of hiatal hernia surgery and alternative
treatments as well, are to reduce the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, neutralize the acidity of the fluid, decrease the amount
of stomach acid produced, or reinforce the esophageal sphincter that blocks off the stomach.
Hiatal hernia surgery accomplishes
the goal of reducing acid backflow by pulling the stomach down out of the esophagus so pressure on the esophageal sphincter is removed.
Pressure on the sphincter can also be reduced by avoiding large meals, not bending over or lying down right after eating, and losing
weight.
Prescription medications may be prescribed to decrease the amount of acid produced or to neutralize it so that when it
does enter the esophagus there is not as much pain or burning.
Your doctor may want you to watch your diet and avoid certain
foods in an attempt to avoid hiatal hernia surgery. You may be able to reduce gastroesophageal reflux by eliminating spicy foods,
caffeine, chocolate, and acidic foods. Eat several small meals throughout the day as opposed to three large ones. On the occasions
when you do get heartburn, you can treat it with over the counter antacids.
For some people, symptoms are worse when lying down
at night because in that position, the stomach can slide up against the esophagus. If this happens to you, place a wedge under your
mattress, or put the end of your bed up on blocks so you sleep with your head elevated. Gravity will help relieve the pressure on
your esophageal sphincter.
To avoid aggravating your condition and making it worse so that hiatal hernia surgery can no longer
be avoided, be careful when lifting heavy objects, especially at work. Use proper form and wear a support belt. You should also stop
smoking. Smoking can make your heartburn worse and it causes you to cough more, which creates backpressure on your diaphragm and hernia.
Up
to a certain point, diet and lifestyle can be an effective alternative to hiatal hernia surgery. However, when the hernia becomes
enlarged or twisted, hernia surgery is unavoidable.
Is There An Alternative?
