How to Fix Hiatal Hernias by Yourself with Natural Treatments and Therapies

by Abhinav G. Movie Enthusiast

The Most Effective Ways to Treat Hiatal Hernias at Your Home

The most common cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia diagnosis will not be given to a GERD sufferer unless they have been dealing with their acid reflux issues for a while.

Although a mild hiatal hernia might not cause discomfort, severe cases can be serious and require surgery. Although there is limited research on how to treat hiatal hernias naturally, some studies suggest that alternative and complementary medicine can help to alleviate symptoms over the long term.

Let's first discuss what a hiatal sheath is. Next, we will review the available treatments and therapies to help you better understand them. And how to avoid having surgery if necessary.

What is a Hiatal Hernia, and How Do You Know?

Hiatal Hernias are caused by the stomach's upper portion of the gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) bulging upwards through an opening called the hiatus in the diaphragm. Acid reflux or GERD can be caused by a change in the alignment of the lower esophageal sphincter, which helps keep stomach acid out of your esophagus.

Acid reflux and GERD are the most common signs of hiatal hernia.

Chronic cough
Heartburn
Asthma
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Pain at the stomach button or chest
You feel full quickly after you eat

Although there are many types of hiatus hernias, the most common is Type 1. Type 1 accounts for 95% of hiatal hernia cases. It occurs when the hiatus (the hiatus) bulges upwards at the gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ), where the stomach meets the esophagus.

Type 2 accounts for about 5% of hiatal hernia cases. It occurs when the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the area between the lungs and the chest cavity.

Type 3 is a combination of the first two. Type 4 occurs when the upper abdomen and part of another abdominal organ (such as the intestines, spleen, or stomach) protrude into your chest cavity.

Hiatal hernias can be found only when a patient is experiencing persistent GERD or any other upper-abdominal symptoms. Endoscopy or imaging is needed to diagnose hiatal hernias. A physical exam cannot detect anatomical issues inside the body.

Hiatal Hernia Treatments & Therapy Options

The conventional treatment for hiatal hernia is usually over-the-counter antacids and proton pump inhibitors (like TUMS or Pepcid), prescription drugs (like Nexium or Prilosec), and hernia surgery for more severe cases. There are many options if you are looking for holistic solutions to a hiatal hernia.

Alternative, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (CAIM), Treatments for GERD and Hiatal Hernia

Numerous studies have supported the use of CAIM therapies for digestive health. These include diet and lifestyle changes, breathing exercises, herbs, supplements, mind-body therapies, and acupuncture.

Studies have not shown that people can reverse or push back the hiatal hernia's anatomical abnormalities. Some of the CAIM interventions can be used to alleviate symptoms of GERD.

Manual therapies can also help with anatomical problems, including osteopathic treatments and myofascial relief therapy (MFT).

We'll show you how to fix your hiatal hernia at the Ruscio Institute for Functional Medicine clinic.

Lifestyle changes to treat GERD and Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia sufferers may benefit from GERD treatments. These lifestyle changes could be the solution to your hiatal hernia. The fix may not change the anatomy of your hernia, but it can resolve all symptoms.

Elimination of trigger food like:

Fatty foods
Coffee/caffeine
Chocolate
Alcohol
Spicy food
Citrus
Tomato-based products
Alliums (garlic, onion, leeks, chives)
Peppermint
Carbonated beverages

Avoid large meals at least two hours before bed
Weight loss
Lifting the head of your bed

Although the studies on diaphragmatic breathing did not test for hiatal hernia in these subjects, they all had GERD. They reported a significant decrease in symptoms such as belching and reflux. A 2018 study found that participants reported improved quality of life.

Participants in the study were asked the following breathing sequences:

For four seconds, inhale through your nose
For four seconds, hold the button down
For eight seconds, exhale through your mouth

Participants could begin to perform the technique lying down. Then, they could move on to doing the breathing exercises standing or sitting. Participants were advised to take 30 deep breaths for five minutes each time they felt symptomatic.

Supplements to GERD to Fix Hiatal Hernia

Some evidence points to using low-carb or low-FODMAP diets for GERD, acid reflux, and heartburn relief. Other evidence suggests fiber supplementation with psyllium husks at 15g daily can relieve GERD. 60% of subjects experienced complete resolution. Supplemental fiber may benefit more significantly than lower-fiber diets, but it's unclear why. More research is needed in this area.

Consider these other strategic supplements that you can add to your daily routine, which may be helpful in GERD or hiatal hernia.

Iberogast: A herbal mixture called Iberogast has been proven to be as effective at treating heartburn, heartburn, burping, and abdominal pain as the indigestion drug Cisapride
Probiotics - Several randomized controlled trials and a systematic review of 13 studies have shown that probiotics reduce GERD symptoms such as gas, nausea, burping, and whole-gut transit times (the time between eating and bowel movements).
Melatonin - When taken with or without omeprazole, melatonin can improve GERD.
Alginate is a polysaccharide found in seaweed. It acts as a raft-forming ingredient (turns into a gel substance when it comes in contact with acids and creates a physical barrier between your stomach and esophagus). Alginate is highly effective against mild GERD when taken within a few hours of meals.

Mind-Body Therapy and Acupuncture

A literature review conducted in 2017 examined the effectiveness of alternative treatments for GI disorders. Many of our CAIM interventions (supplements, herbs, raft-forming agents, and nutrition) were effective. This includes acupuncture and mind-body therapies such as.

Hypnotherapy
Biofeedback
Muscle relaxation techniques
Exercises for diaphragmatic breathing

These therapies have been a huge success, highlighting the importance of mind-body connections and how important it is for people to manage their emotional and physical stress. The science-backed link that exists between the gut and the brain is well-established. Functional medicine emphasizes this fact, and these other interventions effectively support it.

Hiatal Hernia Self - How to Fix Hiatal Hernia by You

After a week-long trial of the hiatal hernia self-adjustment maneuver, we have seen improvements in constipation, post-meal gas, and acid reflux symptoms.

Applying pressure downwardly to the abdomen, one inch below the sternum, and one inch to the left of the rib cage (this area is known as the GEJ), is called the self-adjustment maneuver. This may reduce symptoms of hiatal hernia.

This has been proven to be effective in many cases of chronic constipation. Patients with a history of digestive problems or those who don't respond to standard treatment can consider hiatal hernia.

Other Manual Treatments

Treatments for GERD and possibly hiatal hernia have been shown to improve overall symptoms. They increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to more GERD. Participants didn't suffer from hiatal hernia in a 2013 randomized controlled study examining osteopathic treatments' effects on the LES. However, hiatal mania is a condition that causes a reduction in LES pressure. This can lead to GERD. This study's increase in LES pressure suggests that osteopathic treatments may benefit hiatal mania.

MFT is also an option for manual therapies to treat hiatal hernias. Its effectiveness in treating GERD is well documented. Because it's a primary symptom of a hiatal hernia, The sliding component of a hiatal hernia is also present (in which the GEJ slides into and out the chest while swallowing). This study found that MFT can help to improve this sliding component. More research is needed in this area to understand better the potential benefits of this therapy for patients suffering from hiatal hernias.

Oral Neuromuscular Training helps to improve swallowing and GERD symptoms. In a 2018 study, participants used acrylic oral medical devices (IQoro) that they placed in their mouths. Then they pulled their lips closed and pulled on the device. The therapy was used for both normal-weight and obese subjects. It was performed every day for six months. The most significant improvement was seen in severely obese patients.