Hiatal Hernia and G.E.R.D. — Lifestyle and Diet Tips

Diet is a universal remedy for stomach problems. But, that does not mean that you have to give up all those foods you love, to calm your stomach.

Do you know that there is an easy way to eat everything? Well, almost everything you like, without disturbing your stomach. And also without spending a lot of money on expensive over-the-counter antacids?

It took me less than a month to leave all that medications and finally start EATING!

From personal experience, I will explain to you, step by step, how to eat almost all foods. And hear this: enjoy them without consequences.

It won’t be easy. After all, it wasn’t easy to bring oneself into this position. Yes, we and only we are to blame for our stomach problems. But it’s not the end, and it’s not something that can’t be kept under control.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. I’m not a doctor. I want to share with others my ten years of experience in fighting whit these diseases. In the good hope that it will help someone.

What are Hiatal hernia and G.E.R.D. and how do they occur

According to WebMD, a Hiatal hernia (stomach hernia) is a condition in which the top of your stomach bulges through the opening in your diaphragm and enters the esophagus.

Most people have very middle or almost no symptoms, while others are not so lucky.

G.E.R.D. (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) or acid reflux, according to MayoClinik, occurs when stomach content often returns to the esophagus.

It occurs due to muscle weakness of The Lower Esophageal Sphincter. LES has the function of leaking food into the stomach. And also not allowing the stomach content to return to the esophagus.

The symptoms of these two diseases are similar. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a Hiatal hernia can occur from G.E.R.D., or acid reflux could be the symptom of Hiatal hernia.

I head three endoscopies with three different doctors. On the first and third the doctor diagnosed Hiatal hernia, but on the second the diagnosis was acid reflux.

The symptoms are:

• Heartburn and a burning sensation in the chest
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Frequent burping
• Sore throat

My symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Heartburn
• Heart palpitations and skipping
• Discomfort in the area below the chest
• Insomnia

Due to the accelerated pace of life, increased stress, bad habits, and poor diet, a large number of people are suffering from these two diseases. In my opinion, the main reason for that is stress.

Stress and anxiety lead to spasms of all muscles, and since the stomach is a muscle, it spasms and puts pressure on the diaphragm, expelling its contents through the sphincter. The pressure under which a person is also leading to irregular and shallow breathing that eventually leads to the weakening of the diaphragm.

A change in diet and lifestyle can play an important role in the treatment to control the symptoms on the road to recovery.

And it’s not a change in the foods we eat or their preparations. From my experience, it is more important HOW WE EAT, how much food and drink we ingest, and WHEN.

Here are some common reasons why this happens:

• Obesity
• Irregular breathing
• Stress, neuroses, anxiety, anger
• Stomach injury
• Prolonged cough
• Improper posture
• Improper lifting of loads

In my case:

• Overthinking, overanalyzing, over-worrying
• Genetics (my mother had stomach problems)
• Frequent overeating
• Going to bed immediately after a heavy meal
• Excessive use of medications
• Drug use
• Too many beers and fizzy drinks

In other words, it is a matter of long-term and excessive pressure on the diaphragm combined with bad breathing, which leads to its weakening.

Lifestyle and Diet tips

The most common symptom for both of these diseases is the return of acid from the stomach to the esophagus.

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The acid burns the esophagus and can lead to more serious problems. With a special regime and diet, the symptoms are reducing.

My experience has shown that it is much more important to change the way we eat than to change the type of food:

• Don’t overeat
• Keep track of foods that you eat and how they affect you. Keep a diary if necessary
• Learn diaphragmatic breathing
• Eat only small but frequent meals. Eat 5 to 6 times during the day
• Chew food well. Eat slower
• Take water, half an hour before, or an hour after a meal. Right after the meal takes only a few sips. This is a very important step!
• Do not eat after 7 pm
• Do not bend immediately after eating
• Stop smoking
• Lose weight if necessary
• Wear loose clothing around the waist. I usually wear tracksuits and I use suspenders for my pants
• Lift the pillow at least 6 inches and use a harder pillow
• Cultivate only positive thoughts
• Be grateful
• Take it easy in your life…

H. Hernia and acid reflux are mechanical problems, so they also should be treated that way. Besides diet and lifestyle changes, you should reconsider going to chiropractics, or doing some exercises by yourself. I have started some exercises myself and I hope to have more information soon.

Note: This article is regularly updated with new information and experiences.

Foods to avoid

If you follow these diet tips, you will not have to change the groceries you eat.

You will be able to eat everything, but little by little, and without ingesting too much fluid at once:

I avoid anything that is TOO MUCH:

• Too hot, hot peppers, chili.
• Too sour, lemon, orange, tangerine, ketchup, peeled tomato.
• Food fried with a lot of oil.
• Too much fatty.
• Purchased sweets, confectionery, sweets with additives, flavor enhancers, artificial colors, and preservatives. Simply everything that is TOO SWEET including bananas.
• Avoid smoked meat and fish.
• Carbonated juices and beer (this is a must)!
• Don't use canned food.
• Avoid tea because, like any medicine, they cause excessive acid secretion.
• Reduce your intake of carbohydrates, sugar, and dough.

Foods to use

Remember, acid causes burns and wounds on the esophagus. So, eat what relieves discomfort:

• Fresh cheese, sour milk, and olive virgin oil, as much as possible. Try with yogurt and kefir, but only before the meal or with the meal itself, never after.
• Eat plenty of apples, also half an hour before meals. Apple helps digestion and relieves acidity.
• Eat polenta for breakfast with sour milk.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible.
• Eat poultry and less fatty fish, but reduce your red meat intake.
• Use a solution of baking soda and organic apple cider vinegar half an hour before or an hour after a meal. It is great for digestion and acid neutralization. Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in 2 dl of lukewarm water and add one cup of vinegar to it and stir.

Conclusion

I think our focus should be on tightening the diaphragm and relaxing the muscles. You should try diaphragmatic breathing exercises, as well as magnesium for relaxing the muscles, or some herbal tea for eliminating the effects of stress and constant pressure.

Diseases like Hiatal Hernia or GERD, can create great discomfort and negatively affect your life.

First of all, you should consult your doctor. If necessary, use medication alongside your diet.

For someone who takes antacids daily, switching only to a diet can be hard and stressful. But it is possible to leave all the medications, trust me. And with a little effort, eat most of your favorite foods and live a completely normal life.