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Hiatal Hernia Surgery Recovery

Having any surgical procedure can be stressful and there is always a period of recovery that one must go through afterwards. However, when the surgery involves area of the stomach, the recovery process could be a little more in depth. After all, not all surgeries will have an effect on the way you eat for weeks or months at a time. There are several things you should know about in regards to your recovery after a Hiatal hernia repair surgery.

Diet Limitations

As mentioned earlier, you are going to be sent home with a number of diet limitations. This does not mean restrictions as there is a major difference. It is not that you will have to watch what you eat, it is that you will have to watch the way you eat it. For example, you will be instructed to take small bites and chew each one thoroughly before swallowing. The idea here is to make sure your food is almost fully liquid before swallowing it. Some people prefer to eat soup and other soft foods for a few days. Remember that bread and meat will be the hardest to swallow so maybe stay away from them for at least a week or so. Also, it cannot be stressed enough that spicy foods and foods that are known to produce gas such as beans should be avoided for quite awhile. Do not drink carbonated drinks until your doctor has instructed you that it is alright to do so.

Stay Comfortable

This cannot be stressed enough. More than likely you will be sent home with pain medications. Do not be afraid to use these as necessary. If you find that one of your medications is making you feel sick to your stomach, which can easily happen with pain meds, report this to your doctor and see about an alternate drug. If you doctor permits it you may be able to take a nice warm shower in order to relax you and make you feel better. Keep in mind that this may not be allowed for several days after surgery. You may expect to feel a bit of discomfort for a good 3 to 6 months following your surgery but do not worry as the severity and frequency will minimize with time.

Take Care of Your Lungs

After a surgical procedure one of the things that you must consider is the health and function of your lungs. Making sure you do breathing exercises during your recovery time will help prevent the possibility of pneumonia or lung congestion. In fact, lung disorders and illnesses tend to me the most common after effects of surgeries of all types so do not slack where this is concerned. Chances are you’ve been given a spirometer, use it a minimum of 4 times per day in the beginning. If you do notice any lung congestion, a tight and painful cough or spike a fever, contact your doctor right away.

Do Not Worry About Appetite

You may not feel like eating much of anything directly following this surgical procedure and that is fine for a couple of days. However, if after 48 hours you still have not developed an appetite contact your doctor as you need to eat in order for your body to get the sustenance it needs for the healing process. If you cannot eat solid foods then try drinking meal replacement shakes as these provide nutrition and act more like a beverage, making it easier for people to tolerate.

The most important consideration after a surgery is always going to be infection. If you notice redness, swelling or heat coming from the site then you should seek medical attention. Also a fever is never a good sign after any sort of surgical procedure. These are the things your doctor will most likely instruct you to watch for. In most cases the healing process goes quite smoothly but be aware of the risks and pat attention to the signals your body is sending you.

October 20th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment

Hiatal Hernia Causes

A hernia occurs any time there is an internal part of the body pushing or protruding into an area it does not belong.  The opening in the diaphragm is called the hiatus and is the wall of muscle which separates the abdomen from the cavity of the chest. Under typical circumstances the esophagus, otherwise known as the “food pipe” goes in through the hiatus and then attaches to the stomach. When there is a Hiatal hernia what is happening is that the stomach is protruding into the chest cavity through the hiatus, hence the name Hiatal hernia. There are a couple of varieties of Hiatal hernias, the paraesophageal which is located just near the esophagus and then there is the sliding Hiatal hernia both the stomach and a small section of the esophagus protrude into the stomach through the hiatus. The latter being the most common type of Hiatal hernia.

Some Possible Causes

The truth of the matter is no one truly knows exactly what causes a Hiatal hernia to occur. However, we have been able to pin point some definite risk factors. For one thing, some people are just born with a larger Hiatal opening than others, leading to problems down the road. Other causes can be from the type of pressure that comes with pregnancy or even from chronic constipation in which a significant amount of straining occurs. We also know that women are much more likely to develop Hiatal hernias than men. In addition, obesity seems to play a large role in the development of Hiatal hernias.

Less Common Hiatal Hernia- More Dangerous

The sliding hiatal hernia is the most common and the least likely to cause any underlying problems. However, it is important to mention that the paraesophageal hernia which is much less common carries a much higher risk of complications. This type of Hiatal hernia can position itself in such a way as to strangulate or cut the blood flow off. When this occurs surgery is almost always imminent. The surgical procedure done is not a very complicated one and the recovery time is usually from about six weeks to two months, depending on the patient.

Can Hiatal Hernias Go Undetected?

They absolutely can go undetected, especially in people who are not having severe symptoms. This is why many doctors order MRIs in order to see what is happening behind the scenes in people who are suffering from acid reflux disease or GERD.  However, there will usually come a point when the pain associated with a Hiatal hernia will prompt the patient to seek medical attention. The time it takes for this to happen can vary from person to person.

Are There Medications to Treat Hiatal Hernias?

There are medications to treat excess stomach acid which could certainly worsen a Hiatal hernia but in terms of actually healing one, this normally must be done through surgery. Sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids will be given to those suffering from minor Hiatal hernias just to control the swelling and pain, as well as stop the excess acid from aggravating the situation worse.

If you have been experiencing a lot of pain, having frequent bouts of heartburn and trouble when eating and digesting food, you may want to see about the possibility of a Hiatal hernia. Another very important red flag to look out for is spitting up blood. If a person vomits blood this is cause for immediate medical attention.

October 16th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment

Living with Hiatal Hernia Pain

If you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, you know that living with hiatal hernia pain can be quite a trial. Normal everyday activities can cause severe discomfort and oftentimes you act before you think. For example, hiatal pain when bending over is about as bad as it gets because you are putting increased pressure on the area. A few simple common sense precautions can provide hiatal hernia pain relief in addition to the medications you have probably been prescribed by your doctor.

Never Assume Anything

Before discussing various ways to learn to live with hiatal hernia pain, it should be mentioned that some hiatal hernias need medical or surgical intervention. Just because your brother or neighbor learned to live with the pain of a hiatal hernia doesn’t mean that you should try to do so. If your doctor tells you that you need surgery, this means that the stomach has worked its way up into the esophagus far enough that surgery is the only way to repair it. Never assume that what works for others can work for you, especially against medical advice.

Finding Hiatal Hernia Pain Relief

As a rule of thumb, if something causes increased pain, don’t do it! Some people find that hiatal hernia pain on right side prevents them from sleeping on that side so they learn to sleep on their back or left side. Other people find that carrying objects in their left arm increases hiatal hernia pain on left side so they learn to carry with their right arm, leaving their left hand free. It is a matter of making adjustments in the way that you live your day to day life but once these adjustments become habit it is easier living with hiatal hernia pain.

Reducing Hiatal Hernia Pain after Eating

Since a hiatal hernia is a protrusion of the stomach up through the esophagus it is only common sense to eat smaller meals. In fact, eat tiny portions several times throughout the day instead of sitting down to a huge meal that will put undue pressure on your already tender midsection. Hiatal hernia pain after eating can also be reduced if you wear loose fitting clothing and stand up a bit immediately after eating. Sitting down pushes the stomach up against the esophagus which just tends to exacerbate the pain.

Caution When Experiencing Hiatal Hernia Pain under Ribs

Even if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, you should use caution when experiencing what you assume is hiatal hernia pain under ribs. This could very well be hiatal hernia pain but then again it could be the sign of a heart attack. Tens of thousands of people suffer heart attacks each year because they fail to recognize the warning signs. Although hiatal hernias can cause pain under the ribs and in the back, it is best not to take a chance. If accompanied by unusual nausea or if you don’t usually experience hiatal hernia pain under ribs, contact your doctor immediately.

Besides the fact that different people experience hiatal hernia pain relief in different ways, some people are more tolerant of pain than others. Make no mistake about it; hiatal hernias can be extremely painful. If you cannot find relief from the medications your doctor prescribes along with natural remedies, it is probably time for another consultation. Your condition may have deteriorated and it may become necessary for surgical repair. By learning how your body reacts to treatment you will be better able to recognize any changes as they occur. The best hiatal hernia pain relief is to familiarize yourself with your pain and to listen to what your body is telling you.

September 13th, 2011 | Tags: , , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment