How does a hernia of the esophagus

Hernia of the esophagus is a disease in which some internal organs shifted from the abdominal cavity into the chest through an enlarged esophageal opening in the diaphragm. Shift can the stomach, lower esophagus, loops of the small intestine.

Symptoms of a hernia of the esophagus

Hernia of the esophagus may be congenital or acquired. One of the causes of the disease is increasing the elasticity of the tissues bordering the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. Often the hernia can appear under the influence of conditions, increases intrauterine pressure (e.g., heavy physical labor). Sometimes the cause of the disease can be pregnancy, constipation, overeating, overweight, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. The signs of the disease are similar to symptoms of reflux esophagitis, which is considered the initial stage of hernia of the esophagus.

The main symptom of a hernia of the esophagus are pain. Because they can be confused with symptoms of other diseases, to establish an accurate diagnosis prescribed an x-ray of the chest cavity. Pain may occur after eating, during exercise, when bending, lying down. The other main symptom of a hernia of the esophagus – burp. As a result of entering into the esophagus of stomach contents into the esophagus, it may be acidic or bitter. At heavy physical work, overeating, at night the patient has heartburn. It is caused by the contact with acidic stomach contents into the esophagus due to the lack of function of the lower sphincter.

Patients also may experience hiccups, which may persist for several weeks or months.

A symptom of hernia of the esophagus is bleeding and dysphagia (swallowing disorder). During exacerbation of the disease probable partial or complete obstruction of food through the esophagus for some time. The appearance of anemia in a patient indicates the presence of bleeding. When the hernia of the esophagus can be a pain in the language (glossalgia) and hoarseness. This is due to the appearance of peptic burn due to reflux into the oral cavity of the contents of the stomach and duodenum.

How to treat a hernia of the esophagus

When herniation of the esophagus should be to eliminate the factors that can lead to further development of the disease. After a complete examination, the patient is prescribed medication, a strict diet. There need little and often. From the diet to avoid fatty, spicy, salty, fried foods, alcohol, coffee.

After a course of therapy, patients should always keep a diet.

The patient must take drugs that reduce the acidity of stomach contents, and tools that reduce gastric secretion, drugs that protect the mucosa of the esophagus. Prescribe a course of therapeutic exercises, aimed at strengthening the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles. Having launched or complicated forms of hernia of the esophagus treated by surgery.