Esophageal hernia is a common disease among older people. Pathology is characterized by a change in the anatomical location of some organs in the abdominal cavity. The work of the ligamentous apparatus located in the opening of the esophagus is disrupted when the diaphragm expands. As a result of this, a displacement of organs occurs. Can an esophageal hernia be treated without surgery?
The main methods of therapy
Many experts believe that in most cases it is possible to treat an esophageal hernia without surgery. Only one in ten patients needs surgery. As for the remaining cases, to eliminate the ailment, you can resort to conservative methods of therapy, which include:
- the use of a certain number of medicines;
- exercise physiotherapy and gymnastics for the respiratory system;
- dietary compliance;
- maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Such a complex of therapeutic measures allows you to get rid of the disease and significantly alleviate the condition of the patient.
What is the drug therapy
Treatment of a hernia of the esophagus without surgery involves taking a certain number of synthetic drugs. Their main purpose is to eliminate the symptoms of the disease (for example, belching, heartburn, pain and discomfort in the chest area) after eating. Therefore, the patient may be prescribed:
- Antacids, such as Almagel, Rennie, Maalox, Gastal, etc. Such medicines bind hydrochloric acid, which is part of the gastric juice. It is she who irritates the mucous membrane of the esophagus and leads to its damage.
- Proton pump inhibitors. These include the preparations "Esomeprazole", "Pantoprazole", "Omeprazole". Medicines of this type can reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
- Prokinetics, for example, Cisapride, Domperidone, Metoclopramide. Drugs can normalize the motility of the esophagus. This, in turn, prevents the contents of the stomach from being thrown into the esophagus.
- H2 blockers of histamine receptors. Such drugs include Roxatidine, Nizatidine, Famotidine, Cimetidine, Ranitidine. Medicinal formulations can reduce acid secretion, as well as reduce its intake in gastric juice.
Complication therapy
Is it possible to treat esophageal hernia without surgery for complications? In this case, therapy is accompanied by additional recommendations of specialists:
- If the patient has chronic blood loss, then the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia is increased. In this case, the doctor may prescribe antianemic and hemostatic agents.
- If the contents of the duodenum are regularly thrown into the esophagus, ursodeoxycholic acid is recommended. Preparations based on it reduce the irritation exerted on the gastrointestinal mucosa.
- With narrowing of the esophagus, prolonged-acting antacid drugs, as well as local anti-inflammatory drugs, can be prescribed.
- If other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are chronic in nature, were diagnosed, then therapy should first of all be aimed at eliminating them.
In order for the listed methods of treatment of esophageal hernia to give a positive result, it is worth informing the attending physician about the presence of any chronic diseases. This is due to the reaction of the body to some synthetic medicines. In certain cases, it may be necessary to select analogues with a small amount of side effects.
Respiratory gymnastics
Treatment of esophageal hernia at home may not be limited to taking medication. With such a disease, breathing exercises are recommended. Perform exercises should be 3 hours after eating. The whole complex of such gymnastics:
- Lie on your side. Legs should be 15 cm below the head. Inhale, while protruding the stomach as much as possible, and then exhale, relaxing and not pulling in the stomach. Exercise should be performed in 4 sets of 10 minutes. In this case, each time the breath should become deeper. After a week of training, the exercise can be complicated by drawing in the stomach as you exhale. The number of approaches does not change.
- Get on your knees and gently tilt in both directions. In this case, observe the breathing technique. When tilting, inhale, and when returning to the starting position, exhale. Then do the exercise, standing on your feet.
- Lie on your back and make turns in both directions, while observing the rules of breathing.
With the constant implementation of these exercises after a few months of training, you will be able to improve your condition. You can supplement this treatment of esophageal hernia with the most effective folk remedies, after consulting with a specialist.
The use of physiotherapy
Alternative treatment of esophageal hernia is not only the use of decoctions and infusions. Such a disease requires the implementation of therapeutic exercises. This method is approved by traditional medicine. Performing gymnastics is recommended on an empty stomach, about 40 minutes before eating.
Exercise complex
Lie on your back, placing your upper body on a hill, such as a pillow. Place the index and middle fingers under the ribs of the midline of the abdomen on both sides. Initially, the skin should be shifted upward to the head, to the right. As you exhale, carefully dip your fingers deep into the abdominal cavity. Move the stomach with extensor movements down and to the left. Repeat exercise up to 6 times. If you performed everything correctly, then the pulling sensation in the throat area will decrease and pain will decrease.
Sit and take a pose so that a slight fold forms in the thoracic spine. Exercise should be performed in a relaxed state. Under the rib arches, place the pads of the fingers of both hands so that they bite into each other through the skin and are horizontal. In this case, from 2 to 5 should be parallel to the midline of your body. On inhalation, move the skin with your thumbs in the direction of the head, and on the exhale, apply pressure to the back and legs for 7 seconds. Do the exercise 3-6 times.
In addition to the above, it is recommended to perform exercises to relax the abdominal muscles, for example, in a supine position, swaying of the legs bent at the knees, dosed walking, moderate tension of the abdominal muscles.
Nutrition rules
How is esophageal hernia therapy performed without surgery? Dietary treatment for this disease is of particular importance. Compliance with all the rules will not only ease the patient’s condition, but also speed up the healing process.
First of all, strict adherence to diet is recommended. Do not completely satisfy your hunger at one meal. This leads to increased stress on the stomach. To fool your brain, eat slowly, in small portions, stretching the meal for about 10 minutes. This time is enough to signal that the body is full. You can eat a lot in 10 minutes if you eat fast. This is not recommended. An overflowing stomach will cause discomfort and pain.
What products are prohibited
Symptoms of esophageal hernia and treatment with folk remedies or traditional methods are interrelated. After all, the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach can be reduced or increased. The patient’s diet depends on this indicator. In any case, with such a disease, you should abandon the sweet, smoked, spicy, spicy and fried foods. Such food can provoke an increase in the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice, which will be thrown into the esophagus. As a result, the soft tissues of the gastrointestinal tract will be irritated, which will lead to an inflammatory process.
An esophageal hernia is exacerbated by the accumulation of a large amount of gas in case of constipation. Therefore, with an ailment, it is not recommended to use yeast, legumes, soda, corn and cabbage, with the exception of cabbage juice.
It is worth noting that without a diet properly drawn up by a doctor, the patient's condition can become worse and worse every day. The negative consequences of thoughtless eating can result in serious complications requiring surgical intervention.
Treatment of esophageal hernia with folk remedies
Reviews show that the use of alternative medicine significantly facilitates the patient's condition. However, it is recommended to use such drugs only after consulting with specialists. After all, some of them may be contraindicated.
Treatment of esophageal hernia with folk remedies can be carried out using decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs that can eliminate heartburn and bloating, relieve the patient from constipation. Such drugs include drugs based on leaves of stone bones, propolis, and red shoe grass.
Alternative Medicine Prescriptions
The most popular recipes include:
- Infusion of ordinary gooseberry leaves. To prepare it, you need to pour a tablespoon of previously dried and crushed raw materials ½ liter of water. Insist on the drug is recommended for 2 hours. Take this drug up to 4 times a day in 0.5 cups.
- Herbal collection of coltsfoot leaves, flax seeds, marshmallow roots and peppermint grass. Dried and crushed components must be mixed in equal proportions. 3 tbsp. l Such collection is recommended to fill in 1 liter of cold water. Insist on the drug for 1 hour. In conclusion, the drug should be boiled for 5 minutes over low heat, placing it in a water bath. Ready broth must be cooled and filtered. It is recommended to take a collection of up to 6 times a day for 0.5 cups.
- Propolis alcohol tincture. This drug is recommended to be used in combination with milk. 50 g of liquid requires 30 drops. It should be taken before meals up to 2 times a day.
In conclusion
There are many other fees and herbs that help get rid of constipation and bloating. If necessary, such drugs can be purchased at the pharmacy. However, it is not recommended to self-medicate without the recommendation of specialists. This issue should be discussed with your doctor. After all, the thoughtless use of alternative medicine can lead to complications. In addition, only a specialist can accurately diagnose and conduct adequate therapy.