8 Natural Ways to Ease a Hiatal Hernia

A Hiatus Hernia Can Be Uncomfortable. But You Don’t Need to Suffer!  These 8 Natural Ways to Ease a Hiatal Hernia Will Have You Feeling Better and More Relaxed.

A hiatal hernia or hiatus hernia can be uncomfortable – and may also cause other health problems. Doctors will often prescribe medicines, but there are several natural ways to ease a hiatus hernia.

What is a Hiatal Hernia?

It’s where your stomach pushes up into your chest, through a muscle called your diaphragm.

You may have one and not be aware of it. If you have a chest x-ray or CT scan it may be seen (that’s how mine was discovered).

They’re very common if you’re over 50, especially in women, but also if you’re overweight, if you’re sedentary, if you eat unhealthily and/or if you smoke.

The symptoms include acid reflux, also known as heartburn or indigestion. You may also burp a lot, find it difficult to swallow, have a sore throat, and/or feel nauseous.

If you’re having severe symptoms you may need surgery, but for most people, you can treat or ease a hiatal hernia with all-natural methods.

And you should treat it, because hiatal hernias can contribute to other health problems, which I’ll discuss below.

But the important thing to remember is that your digestion is really, really important to your overall health so you need to keep it in good shape.

They Can Cause Other Problems

Many people who have a hiatus hernia also have heart problems, mainly palpitations (irregular, noticeable heartbeat) or tachycardia or atrial fibrillation (I do).

Hiatal hernias may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which could result in vomiting or blood in your stools, which in turn leads to anaemia due to lack of iron (which can also put strain on your heart).

Many people with hiatal hernia also have asthma – and interestingly, asthma inhalers can cause your hernia symptoms to be worse!

And you might find it increasingly difficult to swallow food or pills.

Ease a Hiatal Hernia with ACV

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is great for your digestion, to reduce heartburn and acidity, and for a hiatus hernia!

Interestingly, ACV tastes acidic but it has an alkaline effect in your body, which is why it helps to reduce heartburn.

Whenever you have heartburn or acidity, simply

• Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and sip it slowly.

It’s best to take it before meals, but you can drink it any time.

Drink Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is known to help you sleep, but it’s also great for indigestion.

• You can buy chamomile tea – make sure it’s pure and high quality without added ingredients
• or you can make your own.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile in a cup of hot water
  • Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes
  • Strain it.

Add honey if you want to sweeten it. Slowly sip a cup of chamomile tea, up to 4 times daily between meals.

The Warm Water Fix

I found this interesting option online. I’ll miss my espresso first thing when I wake up – I’ll have to delay that pleasure!

This is an interesting mix of stretching and diet which I reproduce from Dr. Jockers

Baking Soda Can Help a Hiatus Hernia

Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is a natural antacid so it can help reduce acid reflux or indigestion.

Warning: don’t take it if you have high pressure!

Warning: don’t use this close to meal times because it interferes with your digestion.

• Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of warm water and drink immediately.

Only use this occasionally – it’s NOT a long-term solution.

Yoga

Yoga can help a hiatal hernia too – but be careful which poses you use! The best pose is the chair pose – search online for a video on how to do it. It helps to straighten your diaphragm and stomach muscles.

Avoid yoga poses that put pressure on your abdomen like the Cobra, Bow and Bridge pose.

By the way, having a hiatal hernia can be stressful. Here’s a great way to get rid of your stress –

What You Eat

Of course, you knew diet was going to come into this discussion, didn’t you? After all, you are what you eat!

Basically, you want to eat mostly non-acidic, minimally processed foods that have lots of fiber. (Obviously, if you have food intolerances, you’ll need to work within those).

Good foods include:-

• Leafy greens
• Beans and peas
• Lean beef, fish and chicken
• Non-citrus fruits and juice from them, as well as healthy smoothies containing mostly vegetables.
• Nuts and seeds
• Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, coriander
• Artichoke and asparagus
• Apple cider vinegar
• Non-caffeinated teas, especially chamomile, ginger, dandelion and green teas
• Healthy fats like coconut, avocado, and olive oils
• Fermented or cultured foods that are rich in probiotics (acid-reducing stomach bacteria) may also reduce hiatal hernia symptoms – think unsweetened yogurt, kimchi, pickles and kefir.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid or reduce oily, rich, acidic and processed foods.

Limit your intake of fast foods, caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes and tomato sauces, soft drinks / sodas, cereals and breads, and deli meats.

Water

Finally, you need to drink lots of water to keep you properly hydrated and make digestion easier. BUT, don’t drink much of anything when you’re eating a meal containing meat. And don’t drink much immediately after a meal either, because you don’t want to dilute digestive juices and inhibit digestion.

A good guideline to follow is to cut off drinking an hour before and after meals.

Summary

There’s a LOT of information in this article. In summary –

• A hiatal hernia is common. You may have symptoms of acid reflux. You need to treat it because it can cause other health issues.
• Drink apple cider vinegar and chamomile tea.
• Practice Yoga’s Chair Pose.
• Drink warm water first thing when you wake up and do the stretches to reduce your hernia (the warm water fix).
• Drink water throughout the day but stop 1 hour before and after meals.
• Avoid fatty, oily, rich, acidic foods, as well as fast / junk / highly processed food.
• Healthy juices and smoothies high in vegetables are easy to digest.

This should all help to ease your hiatal hernia and make your life easier.

Please Share this post  –  it’s easy – sharing buttons on the right!

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Warm regards,

P.S.  Don’t forget to download your FREE recipes for yummy smoothies that will keep you feeling full!  Click here.