Hiatal hernias are a bulge of stomach tissue that have gone through the diaphragm and sit around the esophagus. It is asymptomatic unless the stomach valve weakens and allows stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. It tends to occur in people over forty and becomes more common as tissues weaken due to aging. It is associated with poor eating habits, food allergies, obesity and the use of estrogen medications.

Symptoms of a hiatal hernia are noticeable after a meal. Heartburn and belching occur along with a reflux of stomach fluid into the throat. Lying down after a meal makes the symptoms worse. It is important to control this reflux of acid if it is recurrent because the acid can damage the lining of the esophagus causing a raw sensation in the short term and potentially an ulcer in the long term. In addition to the dietary recommendations in this article, there are supplements that you can use to reduce the irritation this reflux can cause.

Conventional treatment of hiatal hernia involves the symptomatic treatment of heartburn. Prolonged use of antacids can cause mineral imbalances because they contain large amounts of sodium, aluminum, calcium and magnesium. Excess sodium can worsen hypertension and aluminum has been connected to Alzheimer’s disease. Drugs to suppress acid production are also prescribed. Long-term use of these medicines can damage the stomach lining, leading to tumour formation. Other side effects include impotence or breast enlargement. In some cases surgery is recommended to repair the hernia.

Natural treatment of hiatal hernia includes the use of supplements to improve digestion, to reduce the irritation caused by the reflux of acid, and to enhance the health of the stomach and esophogeal lining. For more information about supplements for each of these applications, please see the therapeutic list below.

To prevent the formation of a hiatal hernia do not eat large meals late in the day because this puts pressure on the connective tissue. Avoid foods that stay in the stomach for long periods of time, for example saturated fats, fried foods and oils.

Eat slowly to avoid swallowing excess air. Eat foods that are high in fibre, especially raw foods and whole grains. Regular exercise will strengthen the abdominal muscles.

To keep pain and discomfort to a minimum, be sure to avoid foods and drinks that increase stomach acid. Some of these irritating products are alcohol, coffee, tea, cola, aspirin, ibuprofen, tobacco and spicy food. In addition to these, any food that you are sensitive to should also be avoided. You might need to use an elimination diet to identify food allergens. A simple mantra to remember is, eat light meals, chew thoroughly, and don’t lie down after. Some foods that can help to relieve symptoms are endive, lettuce and artichokes – bitter, leafy greens. These can be eaten raw, like in a salad, or steam them to eat with soothing boiled potatoes. The esophagus will benefit from a nice carrot and cabbage coleslaw with yogurt or kefir. Fresh papaya contains digestive enzymes which will help to accelerate the breakdown of food.

Lie on your left hand side when you go to sleep or are resting – this will help to keep the stomach below the diaphragm and often prevents heartburn.