Hiatal hernia cannot be cured completely without surgery. Hernias tend to get worse with time.
If you are planning on addressing your hiatal hernia without surgery, we advise you to think otherwise.
You sure can treat the symptoms of a hiatal hernia or reduce the risk of the hernia at home.
However, it is only best to consult a hernia surgeon before the hernia becomes life-threatening.
Can Hiatal Hernia be Cured Without Surgery?
A hiatal hernia cannot heal itself and requires surgery for a complete cure.
You can manage a hiatal hernia without surgery until it becomes strangulated or incarcerated.
A strangulated hernia is a situation when the contents of the hernia get cut off from oxygen and blood supply.
An incarcerated hernia refers to the hernia that gets stuck inside the hernia sac and cannot be pushed back into its original position.
Strangulated and incarcerated hernia can turn fatal. You can wait for surgery if your hernia is not strangulated or incarcerated. But when it does, rush for surgery.
So it is advisable to consult your hernia surgeon beforehand, assess the severity of the hernia, and opt for the said prescriptions.
Why Can't People Fix Hiatal Hernias Themselves?
Since strangulated and incarcerated scenarios of hernia demand surgery people cannot fix hiatal hernia themselves.
But you can find temporary relief to relieve heartburn, pain, and other discomfort of hiatal hernia through appropriate diet and medications.
What Steps Can Be Taken to Manage the Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia?
Taking initiatives to reduce the effect of hiatal hernia is a wise choice. Minimizing the discomfort of the hernia until surgery can help you bear it.
Some initiatives that help in managing hiatal hernia symptoms include:
- Lifestyle Changes
- Following a Proper Diet
- Exercise
Lifestyle Changes
Begin with changing some of your life habits for the better when you get diagnosed with hiatal hernia.
- Quit smoking and alcohol as it can irritate your esophagus even more with a hiatal hernia situation.
- Eat an appropriate diet in smaller quantities across the day.
- Sit straight for at least an hour before going to bed to ensure food does not stay in your esophagus.
- Sleep with your head elevated a bit to keep food from coming up your throat.
It is necessary to make sure that your esophagus does not get irritated more. By doing these practices you can be kind to your body.
Following a Proper Diet
Diet plays an important role in helping to decrease the painful effects of hiatal hernia symptoms.
Some tips to curate the right diet for addressing hiatal hernia:
- Avoid acidic fruits and vegetables such as lemon, orange, onion, tomatoes, chilies, etc.
- Avoid spicy foods.
- Prefer liquid-based foods over solid foods.
- Quit nicotine-based products, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, carbonated drinks, etc.
- Eat mashed vegetables and ripe fruits.
- Incorporate fresh juices, clear soups, milk, and yogurt into the diet.
- Stay away from hot foods and drinks.
Do not stuff yourself with food or water as it can strain your stomach walls and irritate your hernia.
You can also consult your healthcare provider to provide you with a diet for hiatal hernia.
Exercise
Stay away from intense exercises and strenuous activities. Stressful exercises can hurt your hernia a lot.
But you can adopt simple massage and exercises that can help you maintain the overall health of your body and reduce hernia pain.
When Should You Call a Doctor?
You must visit a doctor immediately if you encounter any of the following symptoms:
- Increased chest pain with or without fever
- Unable to pass gas
- Unable to empty bowels
- Bloody stools
- Extreme heartburn
- Nauseated feeling
- Vomiting, etc.
These symptoms indicate that your hernia has been strangulated or incarcerated and requires immediate treatment.
Do not try home remedies when you experience the above-mentioned symptoms.
What are the Surgical Options to Treat Hiatal Hernia?
There are updated surgical options available to treat hiatal hernia today. Some include:
- Open Surgery: This option is suggested when the hernia cannot be accessed through minimally invasive methods or when the hernia is serious.
- Laparoscopic Surgery: This is a common surgical method adopted today to address hernia. Surgeons make small incisions and treat the hernia.
- Robotic Repair: It is similar to laparoscopic surgery. Only smaller incisions are made in this case as well.
The surgical option will be based on the size, location, and severity of the hernia.
You can weigh the pros and cons of each surgery and decide on the surgical option. But the ultimate choice of surgery lies with your surgeon. Following the physician’s prescription is good too.
Important Considerations for Hiatal Hernia Surgery
If you are planning for hiatal hernia surgery, it is advisable to prepare your body and mind accordingly.
Knowing how to prepare for hiatal hernia surgery can help you a lot with facing the surgery and successfully recovering from it.
Begin changing certain habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, going to bed straight after dinner, and dietary practices.
Take the prescribed medications as well.
Conclusion
A hiatal hernia will require surgery eventually. Hiatal hernia surgery has become easy today with the latest surgical technologies in the medical field.
So instead of postponing the surgery visit your hernia surgeon as soon as possible and follow up on the prescriptions.
Wishing you a successful recovery from hiatal hernia!
To know more about treating hiatal hernia without surgery approach a hernia specialist.
