Hiatal Hernias for the
Delaware Area
Many people still think of chiropractors as back and neck pain doctors. Most are surprised at the other conditions we have helped our patients achieve results with, including hiatal hernias.
What Is a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia is a displacement of the stomach, where it moves through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm into the chest cavity. In other words, your stomach is too high up. Patients may experience various symptoms, including
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Acid reflux
- Leaky gut
- Improper breathing mechanics
- Stomach cramps
- Neck pain
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hiccups
Symptoms may clearly manifest in severe cases, while others evidence mild or no symptoms at all. People with this condition are often misdiagnosed with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). A proton pump inhibitor is often offered as a solution, but it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem.
What Are Some Causes?
There are many potential causes of a hiatal hernia, including
- Being born with an unusually large hiatus
- Injury or trauma to the area
- Obesity
- Weak supporting tissue
- Smoking
- Age-related changes
- Chronic coughing
- Lifting heavy objects
- Repetitive vomiting
- Strained bowel movement
While there are many possible causes, Dr. Mike Cohen in our Newark office, believes the one consistent factor with most people is their diet. The standard American diet lacks vital nutrients like fiber, phytonutrients, and water, which may lead to hard stools and strained bowel movements.
Like squeezing a tube of toothpaste in the middle, some goes up, the rest goes down. These intra-abdominal pressures must be addressed before they create other problems.
Care and Prevention
Being more aware of what you eat and how you feel helps relieve pain and distress. As a preventative measure, increase your dietary fiber intake. Like Mom used to say, “eat your vegetables.” Dietary fiber, known for its benefits in the colon, appears to also have a protective mechanism for this condition.
Decreasing the amount of inflammatory meat/dairy products consumed, and increasing the amount of veggies, fruits, legumes, and mushrooms, can be very beneficial.
We recommended a visit to our chiropractor to check the abdomen for any visceral misalignments. Relief often follows adjustment and may help digestion, as well as the rest of the body.
Get Relief Today
If you are experiencing digestive distress, consider our conservative and effective approach. Contact our office today.
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