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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/11/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
So I had an endoscopy today, because I was losing wait and my gerd symptoms were pretty severe.

I have been told I have a hiatal hernia, and to "continue your current medications." I will do this, but I am wondering, is there anything else I may be able to do to help reduce the hernia or even get it back to normal?

I take nexium now, and probiotics. That is it.

Thanks,

-Ian
Posted 3/11/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
The only way to reduce the HH is surgery.
Posted 3/11/2011 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I think couchtater is probably right. One of the natural/holistic GERD books I read claims that an HH can be fixed through osteopathic manipulation. I'm highly skeptical.
Posted 3/12/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Well that sucks, because the nexium doesn't help so much. Still wake up at night. I assume the surgery can't completely cure it either and is too risky unless the hernia is really bad? I wouldn't want to do surgery unless I am vomiting constantly and such.

Is there any way I might be able to even treat the symptoms a little bit with diet? Aloe vera and such. Or will that not help at all?

Post Edited (IanA) : 3/11/2011 5:19:00 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/12/2011 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
The surgery can strengthen the weaken LES which caused the HH to grow.
Posted 3/12/2011 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't say that surgery is too risky. There are of course risks with any surgery, but the surgery for reflux and HH is considered pretty safe. Kat x
Posted 3/13/2011 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Surgery is still a last resort. I wouldn't even consider "manipulation," because there's a risk of enlarging the hernia or making it paraesophageal instead of sliding. PEH can be life-threatening.

Half the people in the country have hiatal hernia and don't even know it. By itself it usually doesn't cause symptoms. It is not dangerous unless it becomes very large or the stomach migrates to the chest and stays there (paraesophageal). Most of the hernias are "sliding," meaning the stomach slides up and back down. It's nothing to worry about unless your doc says it's bad or you are having nasty symptoms from it.

If you also have a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), you can get acid damage to the esophagus. Even this is not a huge problem unless it can't be controlled with acid-reducing medication. I lived for many years (20 - 25) with a very small HH and weak LES. I controlled the refluxing, stomach squeezing and hurting, just by not eating the specific food triggers in my diet. Losing weight helped too! I only resorted to surgery when I was in a bad wreck which pushed my stomach into my chest and I was diagnosed with giant paraesophageal hernia (GPEH). That's a whole different ballgame!
Posted 3/13/2011 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
It's 1/3 of the people, but yeah, lots of people have hiatus hernias. I've had an endoscopy before and I did not have it that time, but I have it this time, so hopefully it is one of those 'sliding' hernias. I can feel it; however, it doesn't hurt me to the point where I am debilitated. It can be a dull pain sometimes.

I do have very bad gerd, much worse than normal, and I think the hernia is what caused it to suddenly flame up. I've had this happen a few times in my life, so maybe each time it is a result of the hernia, and it just so happens I got the endoscopy this time that confirmed it.

I'm generally eating pretty well... except I am having 1/2~ can of cane sugar soda and some fig newtons every day. I'm not sure if that is too serious, but I need to have some sugar in my diet and I don't want to drink only water my entire life. I will ask that question in a different topic :).
Posted 3/14/2011 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Iana,you should have a manometry test and also a 24 ph meter test to identify your GERD well!I'm going to try with the osteopathy...
Posted 3/14/2011 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
A friend of mine has a hiatal hernia and was taking a lot of antiacids but she went to a chiropractor who showed her a couple of moves to help with the symptoms.  Since I also have a HH, I was very interested in this although I don't suffer from reflux constantly.  Anyway, you stand on your toes and then let your feet fall down to the floor with a 'whomp'.  Hold on to a piece of furniture if you're not steady.  You do this several times.  She was also instructed to massage downward between the breast bones toward the abdomen, doing this several times.  (I think she also said something about drinking warm water at some point but I can't remember what she said, sorry.)  The idea is to push the end of the esophagus/top of stomach down.  I have done these movements alone and together and I have really reduced the number of times I've suffered with painful acid.  The chiropractor also told her that losing weight and avoiding certain food is important - something most doctors will tell you.  If these movements are considered 'manipulation' - I don't know.  I continue to do them whenever I remember to, and I don't wait until acid starts creeping up.  What I do know is that they have worked for me but every person's case may be different. 
Posted 8/15/2012 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone else using an osteopath?

I had my first visit yesterday and my 'lump in throat' symptom feels much better today. Could just be a coincidence of course, but I felt a definate internal change during the diaphragm-stretching technique. I have another session in a few weeks and will report back here.

The reason I went to see an osteopath was the recent report below. This is an extract, click on the link for the full article.

"Diaphragm muscles show osteopathic training potential

Published on July 10, 2012
By Lucy Piper

Osteopathic manipulative intervention to obtain functional equilibrium of the diaphragm increases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), researchers have found.

This positive influence on the LES suggests that inspiratory muscles, including the diaphragm, could be trained in the same way that gait muscles are, thereby strengthening them and improving their performance, the team explains.

"Our results demonstrated that there was an increase of 9-27% of the LES pressure in patients who performed the osteopathic maneuvers, while in the group of patients who did not perform the maneuvers, a reduction of that pressure was observed," Tomas Navarro-Rodriguez (University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Brazil) and colleagues report.

A total of 38 patients with GERD participated in the study, 22 of whom received osteopathic manipulation, involving a diaphragm-stretching technique commonly used by osteopathic physicians to obtain functional equilibrium of the muscles. The remaining participants received a sham technique..."

read more,
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120710/Diaphragm-muscles-show-osteopathic-training-potential.aspx

edited to add link

Posted 5/4/2014 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Phil,

I know it is a couple of years since this post but how are you doing.

I have the same problems and wondered if the osteopathy worked. I am also in the u.k. and its not so easy to find the right one.

I have breathing problems and upper back pain as well which I am sure is all reflux.

Thanks
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