4 Foods to Eat With Hiatal Hernia
In this article, you will learn what foods to eat with hiatal hernia and how to treat it naturally. However, before we get into hiatal hernia natural treatment, let’s take a closer look at the definition, symptoms, and causes of this condition.
.jpg)
A hiatal hernia is a condition where a part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and helps with breathing. The opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes is called the hiatus.
In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes through the hiatus and into the chest cavity. There are two main types of hiatal hernias:
Causes
The exact cause of hiatal hernia is not known, but several factors are believed to contribute to its development. Some of the possible causes include:
It's important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop a hiatal hernia, and some people may develop the condition without any known risk factors.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a hiatal hernia can vary from person to person, and some people with the condition may not experience any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Some of these symptoms can also be signs of other conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis.
Hiatal hernia recipes and diet treatments will consist primarily of avoiding:
POTATO: Potatoes are among some of the best foods to eat with hiatal hernia because it neutralizes the excess acid and reduce its production. This stops esophageal reflux. This, of course, assumes that they have been prepared healthfully and without fats. The most excellent antacid effect is gained from raw potato juice.
CARROT: Because of their provitamin A content, carrots improve the function of the gastric mucosa by normalizing the production of acid juices. This helps avoid the reflux of acid into the esophagus.
SEAWEED: Seaweed is rich in gums or mucilage, substances with a great ability to retain liquids. Because of this, they retain stomach acids, keeping them from refluxing toward the esophagus.
POMEGRANATE: This is a powerhouse for foods to eat with hiatal hernia because of pomegranates’ astringent effect, they dry the gastric mucosa, reduce the production of gastric juices and reduce inflammation in the stomach. Pomegranate juice reduces stomach acid and esophageal reflux.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power. Trans. Annette Melgosa. Vol. 2. Chai Wan: Editorial Safeliz, 2005. 188.[Foods to eat with hiatal hernia]
What is hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is a condition where a part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and helps with breathing. The opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes is called the hiatus.
In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes through the hiatus and into the chest cavity. There are two main types of hiatal hernias:
- sliding and
- paraesophageal
Sliding hiatal hernias are the most common type, where the junction between the esophagus and stomach slides up into the chest. Paraesophageal hernias are less common and occur when part of the stomach pushes through the hiatus and sits beside the esophagus.
Causes
The exact cause of hiatal hernia is not known, but several factors are believed to contribute to its development. Some of the possible causes include:
- Weakness in the diaphragm muscle: A weakened or stretched diaphragm muscle can allow the stomach to push through the hiatus and into the chest cavity.
- Increased pressure in the abdomen: Factors that increase pressure in the abdomen, such as obesity, pregnancy, coughing, and straining during bowel movements, can also contribute to the development of a hiatal hernia.
- Aging: As we age, the muscles and tissues that support the diaphragm can weaken, making it easier for a hiatal hernia to occur.
- Genetics: Some people may be predisposed to developing hiatal hernia due to genetic factors.
- Trauma: In rare cases, a hiatal hernia can develop as a result of trauma to the abdomen.
It's important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop a hiatal hernia, and some people may develop the condition without any known risk factors.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a hiatal hernia can vary from person to person, and some people with the condition may not experience any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
Heartburn: A burning sensation in the chest or throat, often after eating or when lying down.
Regurgitation: A sour or bitter taste in the mouth, often accompanied by the sensation of food or liquid coming back up into the throat.
Difficulty swallowing: A feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or chest.
Chest pain: A sharp or dull pain in the chest that can be mistaken for a heart attack.
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or a feeling of being unable to catch one's breath.
Belching or bloating: Excessive belching or bloating after eating.
Nausea: Feeling sick to one's stomach or the urge to vomit.
Regurgitation: A sour or bitter taste in the mouth, often accompanied by the sensation of food or liquid coming back up into the throat.
Difficulty swallowing: A feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or chest.
Chest pain: A sharp or dull pain in the chest that can be mistaken for a heart attack.
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or a feeling of being unable to catch one's breath.
Belching or bloating: Excessive belching or bloating after eating.
Nausea: Feeling sick to one's stomach or the urge to vomit.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Some of these symptoms can also be signs of other conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis.
Hiatal hernia recipes and diet treatments will consist primarily of avoiding:
- Foods that further relax the esophageal sphincter.
- Foods that stimulate the production of acid in the stomach.
The proper posture that avoids pressure on the upper portion of the abdomen, as well as abstaining from tobacco, helps migrate the progress of the hiatal hernia and the stomach inflammation that accompanies it.
4 Foods to Eat With Hiatal Hernia
POTATO: Potatoes are among some of the best foods to eat with hiatal hernia because it neutralizes the excess acid and reduce its production. This stops esophageal reflux. This, of course, assumes that they have been prepared healthfully and without fats. The most excellent antacid effect is gained from raw potato juice.
CARROT: Because of their provitamin A content, carrots improve the function of the gastric mucosa by normalizing the production of acid juices. This helps avoid the reflux of acid into the esophagus.
SEAWEED: Seaweed is rich in gums or mucilage, substances with a great ability to retain liquids. Because of this, they retain stomach acids, keeping them from refluxing toward the esophagus.
POMEGRANATE: This is a powerhouse for foods to eat with hiatal hernia because of pomegranates’ astringent effect, they dry the gastric mucosa, reduce the production of gastric juices and reduce inflammation in the stomach. Pomegranate juice reduces stomach acid and esophageal reflux.
Foods to Avoid With Hiatal Hernia
ALCOHOL: Alcohol increases acid production and weakens the lower esophageal sphincter that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Any type of alcoholic beverage, wine, in particular, aggravates the symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
WINE: It has been demonstrated that wine, even in small amounts, fosters the reflux of stomach acid toward the esophagus, which produces a burning sensation and aggravates the symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
COFFEE: Coffee relaxes the sphincter that separates the esophagus and the stomach. Coffee consumption increases the burning sensation associated with a hiatal hernia and worsens the condition. Decaffeinated coffee also increases acidity, although to a lesser degree than regular coffee, according to a study at Bogenhausen Hospital of Munich (Germany).
SPICES: This is one of the main foods to avoid with hiatal hernia because it stimulates the production of acids in the stomach along with a certain inflammation of the esophageal and gastric mucosa. They should be avoided in cases of this condition.
CHOCOLATE: One tip on how to fix a hiatal hernia naturally is to avoid the foods on this list as well as reduce or eliminate chocolate. Because of chocolate’s content of sugars, fats, and stimulants, it encourages acid production in the stomach and esophageal reflux, thus aggravating the symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
TOTAL FAT: This is another of the important foods to avoid with hiatal hernia. Any type of fat promotes acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus and aggravates the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Fat intake must be reduced to a minimum to avoid reflux and the burning sensation that accompanies it.
MILK: Although milk momentarily relieves the burning and acid sensations, it tends to produce a “rebound” effect of even greater acid secretion. Milk, particularly whole milk, should be used with care or eliminated.
WINE: It has been demonstrated that wine, even in small amounts, fosters the reflux of stomach acid toward the esophagus, which produces a burning sensation and aggravates the symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
COFFEE: Coffee relaxes the sphincter that separates the esophagus and the stomach. Coffee consumption increases the burning sensation associated with a hiatal hernia and worsens the condition. Decaffeinated coffee also increases acidity, although to a lesser degree than regular coffee, according to a study at Bogenhausen Hospital of Munich (Germany).
SPICES: This is one of the main foods to avoid with hiatal hernia because it stimulates the production of acids in the stomach along with a certain inflammation of the esophageal and gastric mucosa. They should be avoided in cases of this condition.
CHOCOLATE: One tip on how to fix a hiatal hernia naturally is to avoid the foods on this list as well as reduce or eliminate chocolate. Because of chocolate’s content of sugars, fats, and stimulants, it encourages acid production in the stomach and esophageal reflux, thus aggravating the symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
TOTAL FAT: This is another of the important foods to avoid with hiatal hernia. Any type of fat promotes acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus and aggravates the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Fat intake must be reduced to a minimum to avoid reflux and the burning sensation that accompanies it.
MILK: Although milk momentarily relieves the burning and acid sensations, it tends to produce a “rebound” effect of even greater acid secretion. Milk, particularly whole milk, should be used with care or eliminated.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power. Trans. Annette Melgosa. Vol. 2. Chai Wan: Editorial Safeliz, 2005. 188.[Foods to eat with hiatal hernia]
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
