A hernia that occurs on the esophageal opening of the diaphragm, which looks like a strongly protruded wall, is commonly called a hernia of the stomach. The diaphragm is a thin muscle plate that is located between the abdominal cavity and the chest, it separates these cavities and isolates the organs (lungs, aorta, and heart) from the gastrointestinal tract and other abdominal organs. It has only one relatively large opening through which the esophagus passes.
In case of non-compliance with diet and rest, heavy physical exertion, a disease of the hernia of the stomach occurs, which in itself cannot serve as a cause for great concern. Quite often, the presence of this disease does not require emergency treatment.
In world medical practice, there is an agreement that was reached with the participation of large specialists in the field of gastroenterology, who have extensive experience in the treatment of hernias that have arisen in the esophageal section of the diaphragm. This agreement establishes the following rules:
- surgery for the disease of a hernia of the stomach, treatment of the consequences, are performed only if the hernia occupies more than a third of the esophagus;
- it is necessary to operate a hernia with complications, with an ulcer of the esophagus, and associated with bleeding;
- all other hernias are not operated, according to statistics, this is more than 90% of all diseases;
- the operation does not eliminate the causes that contribute to the formation of a hernia in all cases.
Causes of hernia
The main reasons for the formation of a hernia of the stomach is considered to be a violation of the rules and norms of food intake, smoking and abuse of strong alcoholic beverages. In the event that the patient is given a medical diagnosis indicating the presence of a hernia in the esophagus of the diaphragm, he must organize his life differently. It is necessary not only to undergo a course of conservative treatment, which includes procedures aimed at eliminating the reasons for which the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus, as well as the elimination of the consequences of such a throw. The patient must abandon the habits that caused this disease.
Symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia
With a disease such as a hernia of the stomach, symptoms appear as pain. Most often this is observed immediately after excessive food intake, with disproportionate physical exertion and lifting of a heavy load. Shingles can occur with coughing and flatulence, a symptom sometimes taken as the initial stage of the disease pancreatitis. The pain may disappear or lessen after inhalation, vomiting, burping, changing position of the body and taking alkaline solutions.
When diagnosed with a hernia of the stomach, usually the pain is mild, dull, occasionally very severe and intensifies when the body is tilted forward, especially if there is an inflammatory process and erosion.
The inflammatory process and erosion on the tissues of the diaphragm are an occasion for urgent surgical treatment of a disease of a hernia of the stomach, and medical practice does not know any other methods of healing without the use of surgical intervention. Each patient should remember that the process of transferring the operation “for later” in some cases can be extremely dangerous.
The first symptoms of hernia are not a cause for great concern, but serve as a call to action. It is necessary to control the diet and the amount of nutrition, reduce physical activity, do not drink alcohol. It is necessary to contact a medical institution where specialists will diagnose and determine the degree of hernia formation, on the basis of which further treatment methods will be indicated. Only an experienced gastroenterologist can decide on the timing and type of surgery needed.