The gullet (oesophagus) passes through an opening in the diaphragm which separates the chest from the abdomen. A hiatus hernia results when part of the upper stomach bulges through the opening. May be congenital or acquired. There is a relationship between air-swallowing and hiatus hernia.
Symptoms: distension, regurgitation, belching, pain, heart-burn worse lying down or when stooping, food may ‘stick in the gullet’, worse when straining at stool.
Alternatives. Teas. Wood Betony. (Dr John Clarke) To prevent reflux: Hops, Black Horehound, Meadowsweet. Day-starter: Chamomile tea.
Tablets. Slippery Elm. Chew 3-5 tablets when necessary. Vegetable Charcoal; Papaya: 2 before meals. Fennel. Quarter of a teaspoon crushed seeds in cup boiling water.
Goldenseal, Liquid Extract. 5 drops in water, thrice daily.
Slippery Elm gruel.
Externally. Cold water packs to upper abdomen.
Diet. Cup fresh Carrot juice before each meal. Potato water. Avoid rich fatty foods. No solid foods at bedtime.
Supplementation. Vitamin B-complex (high formula). 1 Dolomite tablet at meals. Vitamin E 400iu daily to oxygenate the blood.
Reduction of weight favourably affects a sliding hiatus hernia. Relief from sleeping on left side is supported. Practice yawning. Relaxation techniques.
A condition in which part of the stomach protrudes upwards into the chest through the opening in the diaphragm that is normally occupied by the oesophagus. The cause is unknown but it is more common in obese people and those with a long-term cough, such as smokers. In some cases, it is present at birth. Many people have no symptoms.
In some people, there is acid reflux. This may lead to oesophagitis or heartburn.
Antacid drugs or H2 blockers may be given to reduce stomach acidity. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
An upwards protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm wall. It is particularly common in women in their fourth and fifth decades.
A displacement of a portion of the stomach through the opening in the diaphragm through which the oesophagus passes from the chest to the abdominal cavity (see HERNIA).
(CDH) herniation of the fetal abdominal organs into the fetal chest, which occurs in one in 2000–5000 live births. This leads to pulmonary *hypoplasia, which is the main cause of the associated high neonatal mortality. The risk of pulmonary hypoplasia is substantially greater where there is herniation of the liver into the thoracic cavity. CDH is commonly associated with additional structural abnormalities (cardiac, neural tube defects, and exomphalos), and the risk of chromosomal abnormality (*aneuploidy) is 10–20%. Demonstration of a fluid-filled bowel at the level of the heart on ultrasound is diagnostic.... congenital diaphragmatic hernia
a hernia that contains only part of the circumference of the wall of the intestine. There is no intestinal obstruction, but necrosis of the affected section of bowel can develop rapidly. [A. G. Richter (1742–1812), German surgeon]... richter’s hernia
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