Question: I am taking Pepcid for heartburn. What should I do if I have a hiatal hernia?




Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

A hernia occurs when a part of the body protrudes through a hole into another area. A hiatal hernia is a defect in opening the diaphragm where the esophagus joins your stomach. Although the cause for a hiatal hernia is unknown, many factors are associated with it. Some people are born with a defect in the opening that allows the stomach to protrude through the opening into the chest cavity. Anything that puts pressure on the abdomen may lead to a hiatal hernia. This includes pregnancy, vomiting, lifting heavy objects, and abdominal obesity. However, the most common cause of hiatal hernia is abdominal obesity. In this case, the cure is to lose the abdominal fat. If you can, in many cases, hiatal hernia symptoms resolve.

I suggest finding a good chiropractor who can perform a visceral manipulation technique that helps to place the stomach back into its normal position. This adjustment often can provide immediate relief of pain caused by hiatal hernia. Drug therapies that block acid production can provide temporary relief from hiatal hernia symptoms but should not be used for the long term as they are associated with a host of adverse effects.