October 27, 2009

Diet Treatment For Hiatus Hernia – What Foods to Avoid?

Posted in Category : Foods that Heal

A Hiatus Hernia is caused when a part of the stomach slips through an opening in the diaphragm that is intended for the esophagus, which connects the mouth to the stomach, to pass through. The part of the stomach that pushes through this opening gets caught in the chest cavity making it very uncomfortable and, at times, painful for the person that has the condition.

However, close to about 50% of the people with hiatus hernia do not show any symptoms. For the remaining 50% that do have the hernia, heartburn is the most common symptom. Controlling your diet goes a long way when it comes to controlling your heartburn.

Before we look at the foods that will help you keep your heartburn in check, we will go over a few rules that you should keep in mind if you have a hiatus hernia:

  • Eat smaller more frequent meals. If you generally eat 3 big meals in a day, change that to 6 small meals spread throughout the day.
  • Do not eat within 2 hours of bedtime.
  • Do not bend over just after having finished a meal.
  • Sit up for an hour after having finished your meal.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Don’t wear clothing that constricts the stomach.
  • Avoid activities that can put strain on the abdomen.

It is very important to remember that one should never take water with meals, but half an hour before or after a meal. This helps the digestive process and reduces the likeliness of heartburn. The diet should consist of seeds, nuts, whole cereal grain, vegetables and fruits (raw or lightly cooked). About half of the food consumed should be vegetables and fruits.

Foods like white bread, sugar, cakes, biscuits, rice puddings, over cooked vegetables, strong tea and coffee as well as over – processed foods should be avoided.

Raw juices extracted from vegetables and fruits have been known to help considerably with hiatus hernia. The patient should drink around three juices diluted with water about half an hour before each meal. Carrot juice is especially beneficial as it is an alkaline food which soothes the stomach. Hot drinks must be allowed to cool before consumed as extremes in temperatures, with food and drinks, should be avoided.

As an additional measure you should also raise the head end of the bed by placing wooden blocks or bricks below the legs of the bed as this would prevent regurgitation of the consumed food.