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Hiatal hernia

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, February 23, 2005

A hernia is a rupture that allows an organ or tissues to protrude through the wall surrounding it. About five million Americans have hernias. The most common location of a hernia is the abdominal wall.

Hiatal hernias are the protrusion of abdominal contents, usually part of the stomach, through the diaphragm-the muscular barrier separating the chest and abdominal cavity. Some symptoms of a hiatal hernia include heartburn and indigestion after meals. These symptoms are a result of inflammation from the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Large hiatal hernias can cause abdominal and chest pain, difficulty breathing, and cardiovascular problems.

A hiatal hernia is not usually surgically repaired in adults. Treatment consists of managing the symptoms rather than repairing the hernia. Some of the measures that may be used in your facility to prevent the reflux, indigestion, and heartburn that accompany hiatal hernias include the following:

• Elevating the head of the bed six inches to prevent the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus

• Avoiding foods and liquids that stimulate the secretion of acids by the stomach, such as coffee and alcohol

• Using antacids at mealtimes and bedtime to neutralize gastric acidity

• Taking prescription medications, if necessary, to prevent the reflux from occurring

Following these measures, and any others that may be prescribed, usually allows a haital hernia sufferer to live with little discomfort.

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