By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-06-20 15:11:02 | Word Count: 664
Everyone wants to stay healthy for as long as they can, but that is only possible if your body never complains about certain ailments which are causing no symptoms. Not many people realize this, but there are a few who are afflicted with a rare condition called Esophageal Hiatal Hernia which affects a portion of the stomach. It is associated with symptoms that afflict only about 15% of the population and many people that have this ailment do not realize that they have an Esophageal Hiatal Hernia.
An Esophageal Hiatal Hernia happens when there is a larger than normal esophageal hiatus that causes part of the stomach to protrude upwards towards the chest through the opening of the diaphragm. Other causes for this condition include the permanent shortening of the esophagus due to excessive regurgitation of stomach acid or an abnormally loose attachment of the esophagus to the diaphragm, both of which make the stomach protrude upward.
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An Esophageal Hiatal Hernia is closely associated with symptoms of having the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications. A person having this condition will experience heartburn, stomach acid regurgitation and nausea. Hiatal hernias may be determined if the patient undergoes a series of tests that include an esophagastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and a barium x-ray in which the patient must swallow a barium drink for any abnormalities to show up on an x-ray.
Treatments may be used to relieve the symptoms and prevent further complications. Many people use natural over-the-counter remedies to decrease acid production, neutralize stomach acidity and strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. Reducing your weight and eating healthier will help to relieve the symptoms. You should avoid lying down or bending over immediately after the meal. If you are a tobacco smoker, you should consider giving up smoking because if you let your esophagus begin to heal from all the unhealthy smoke, you may be surprised at how quickly your symptoms will be relieved. If symptoms still persist, a surgical repair of the hernia may be necessary.
Heartburn is a common symptom of this condition; hence regular drinking of the Marigold tea made of calendula flowers is used to soothe the inflamed tissues and reduce inflammation caused by the stomach acid. You may also want to try an acid reflux wedge pillow for an innovative sleep solution. Doctors recommend that you elevate your head, shoulders and upper body to relieve you from the acid reflux while you are sleeping. Having one of these innovative pillows is important if you want to sleep in a natural position to control heartburn, digestion ailments and respiratory problems.
Another way to alleviate your symptoms of a Hiatal hernia is to practice diaphragm training through deep breathing and advanced yoga. These methods of relief will help you control your breathing, help your esophageal valve heal and ultimately reduce heartburn.
For more information on an esophageal Hiatal hernia visit www.refluxremedy.com today!
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