Hiatus hernia Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2009.
Answers to questions about hiatus hernia
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Which foods worsen the symptoms of hiatus hernia?
- Does lifting a young child worsen a hiatus hernia?
- What are proton pump inhibitors and how do they work?
Which foods worsen the symptoms of hiatus hernia?
Certain foods such as spicy foods, hot or fizzy drinks, alcohol and citrus fruit can worsen the symptoms of hiatus hernia.
Explanation
A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the sphincter between the pipe that goes from your mouth to your stomach (oesophagus) and stomach, or the stomach itself slides through the diaphragm into your chest. A hiatus hernia may cause heartburn or upper abdominal pain especially after meals. This happens when the contents of your stomach, which are acidic, flow backwards into your oesophagus.
Foods that encourage acid production will usually aggravate symptoms of hiatus hernia. These include spicy foods, hot or fizzy drinks, alcohol and citrus fruit.
If you are diagnosed with hiatus hernia or regularly suffer from heartburn or upper abdominal pain after meals, it's important that you make some dietary changes to help reduce your symptoms. These measures include:
- not having food and drink that seems to cause more severe symptoms
- not eating fried or fatty foods
- not eating three hours before bedtime
- eating smaller meals
- stopping smoking
Sources
- Management of dyspepsia in adults in primary care - Clinical Guideline 17. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2005. www.nice.org.uk
Does lifting a young child worsen a hiatus hernia?
No, lifting babies and young children won't affect your hiatus hernia.
Explanation
A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the sphincter between the pipe that goes from your mouth to your stomach (oesophagus) and stomach, or the stomach itself slides through the diaphragm into your chest. It's different from an abdominal hernia when part of your bowel pushes through a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall.
Lifting with an abdominal hernia is not recommended as the added pressure on the abdominal wall can make the hernia worse. With a hiatus hernia you are safe to lift babies and young children, as there is no added pressure on the upper stomach. But you mustn't do any heavy lifting, as too much pressure on the abdomen can worsen your symptoms.
Sources
- Management of dyspepsia in adults in primary care - Clinical Guideline 17. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2005. www.nice.org.uk
What are proton pump inhibitors and how do they work?
Proton pump inhibitors are medicines used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux. This is when stomach acids flow backwards (reflux) into the pipe that goes from your mouth to your stomach (oesophagus) and cause heartburn.
Explanation
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid that the stomach produces. They are ideal short-term treatments for controlling the symptoms such as heartburn and chest pain associated with peptic ulcers and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Examples of proton pump inhibitors (and their brand names) include omeprazole (Losec®, Zanprol®), esomeprazole (Nexium®) and lansoprazole (Zoton®).
Proton pump inhibitors may cause side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, headaches and dizziness. Most people aren't affected but it's best to ask your doctor for advice before taking these medicines. Proton pump inhibitors are not recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have liver disease.
Sources
- Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 54th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2007: 48-50
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: February 2009
Hiatus hernia factsheet
Visit the hiatus hernia health factsheet for more information.
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