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Suggest Treatment For Hiatal Hernia

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Posted on Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Question: i have been having problems in the stomach area. I have been to Gastro guy and i do have a hiatal hernia which appeared on the cat scan i took but not on the endoscopy. It seems to be a sliding one. However with hiatal hernia being up toward the sternum sometimes this discomfort is just above the belly button. it sends at times bolts of anxiety in me. I am 70 decent shape weight 210 6 foot 2. I take prilosec at noon each day 20mg and i do watch what i eat.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hiatal hernia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Firstly thanks for choosing this forum to ask query.
I would just like to give you a small briefing about ypour problem.This will help you understand why symptoms are more in your case.

The esophagus connects to the stomach at an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is normally at the same level as the diaphragm, keeps stomach contents (food, acid, and other digestive juices) from backing up (or refluxing) into the esophagus.
But when a sliding hiatal hernia is present, part of the stomach moves up through the hiatus and into the chest cavity. This pushes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) up into the chest cavity away from the hiatus. Away from the hiatus, the XXXXXXX loses the support that it needs from the diaphragm to stay closed. This raises the risk for symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease(as in your case dear).

If you are not reileved by prilosec only.
Ask your gastroenterologist to consider the following conciderations-

- Firstly I would suggest you to switch to Nexium(Esomeprazole). Initially take it 40mg twice daily, However if not relieved doses can be increased to 80mg twice a day.On the day of appointment ask your gastroenterologist to add Prokinetic drug like

Option 1. -Levosulpiride- It is a sulpiride isomer and exerts its prokinetic effect by blocking D2 receptors. Recent trials have shown that combining it with PPI's have excellent effect in patients suffering from acid reflux.

Option 2. Domperidone- Very effective in treating reflux not controlled by PPI's especially when combined with Rabeprazole/Esomeprazole.

However just medicines will not do strict adherence to life style modification is required.


-Take a low fat easily digestible food.
-Eat a lot of raw salads esp. vegetables.
-No alcohol or smoking.
-No aerated beverages or soda.
-Avoid meat or processed food.-Avoid cheese, Dairy, Milk etc.
.-Take a lot's of yogurt in food
.-Avoid spicy or fast food(No pizza or Burger).-If possible try vegans diet in dinner and normal diet in lunch.-Drink at least 8 cups of water everyday.-avoid all fruits which are citrus.Avoid orange or pineapple juice.-Eat 1 cups of fruit like banana daily.

In case you have to ask any particular question.I would be happy to help.
Feel free ask anytime.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (9 hours later)
I will try to follow most of your suggestions. I also believe i might have Sleep Apnea and will have that checked out. Do you believe in Probiotics should I take them? i drink about 4 cups of Decaffinated Coffee a week is that ok also? I also like to Grilll lean filet can i do that occasionally. I like most of your suggestions and you seem to answer my questions with concern and care i appreciate that. XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Yes you should take a quality Probiotic atleast twice a day.Our gut consists of its own environment of micro organism called gut flora.They are responsible for proper digestion of food.
I would suggest you to take a good probiotic for 4 weeks. This will again replenish the depleted flora. Once the flora is replenished intestinal motility and secretions will be improved and overall digestion and health will improve.
This is not just for your Hiatal hernia but will improve your overall digestion.


For sleep apnea you should consult a respiratory and chest specialist.

I hope i answered your query well.
Thanks and Get well soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (28 hours later)
Good suggestions but i talked with you before Dr. XXXXXXX and you suggested that i drink cold milk each day. I can do away with the cheese burgers pizza and spicy foods but i will be eating eggs for breakfast have been eating salads since our last talk and will try the nexium Thanks again XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Yes cold milk acts as an alkali and neutralize the acid.Hence a glass of cold skimmed milk can be taken every day.
In eggs if possible try to avoid yolk for few days however white can be taken.Egg yolk is fat rich and difficult to digest easily.
Nexium can be taken initially in doses 40mg twice daily and can be increased to upto 80mg twice.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (24 hours later)
Dr. XXXXXXX i went out and played golf today and my stomach is bothering me about two three inches above my belly button. It bothers me to the point where i feel a little light headed and a little of of breath at times. After golf I did go and get the Nexium you suggested and took 1 20 mg tablet when i got home. What do you think i am dealing with here and any suggestions. I didn't drink a lot of water during the round which might have caused the light headedness but not sure. I signed for a sleep study as you suggested with a pulmonary man. Also Could these be coming from the hiatal hernia suggested.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
The area 2-3 inches above belly button medically termed as epigastrium.As per your history the problem started when you were on golf ground(exertional activity).

A male patient aged 70 years presenting with pain in epigastric area on exertion with dyspnea and lightheadeness can be Angina also.Angina occurs when an area of the heart muscle is receiving decreased blood oxygen supply. It is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease in old males.

I would suggest you to go for few cardiac investigations namely-

Resonance imaging of heart (2d echo)- Motion of heart can be seen and ischemia could be ruled out.
Stress test- You are required to run on a tread mill and recording will be taken.Any gross ischemia to heart would be reflected.

Please answer the following questions?

Are you a smoker or alcoholic? If yes then from how many years?
How long did the pain lasted?
Was it relieved on taking rest?
Did it respond to Nexium?
Do you ever feel a bit breathless on climbing upstairs or walking fast?
How are your anxiety levels and sleep cycle?
How long does dizziness lasted?

Waiting.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (6 hours later)
I have never smoked and i don't drink. After golf we ate lunch and i went home after stopping at Walgreens for some Nexium. Pain was not noticeable on the front 10 holes then seemed to come around It was 90 degrees out i went home watched tv and took the nexium and I believe it did respond to nexium . I ate dinner Chicken salad and fruit and continued to watch TV I don't have any stairs to climb but if i wanted to go out for a walk which is 2 miles i believe I could have done it. Slept well last night and anxiety was low When i say dizziness it not like room is spinning and during golf i still could play and did finish the round. I experienced the lightheadedness when bending over to tee the ball up. My blood pressure is normally low at times and I take Toprol for afib so my beats per minute are in 50s. This morning i feel pretty good going out for breakfast.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Have gone through your details.
One of the main cause of atrial fibrillation in adults is coronary artery disease.
So though the pain responded to Nexium yet i would suggest you to go atleast for a stress test to rule out any possibility of coronary artery disease.
Mild dizziness can be due to meroprolol you are on.Metoprolol decrease the blood pressure and keep the pulse low. In case if your baseline pulse is always around 52-56 /min you can ask your cardiologist to decrease the dose of meroprolol.
As of now start taking Nexium in optimal doses 40 mg twice daily along with a good probiotic daily for few days till tests are done.Follow the advice's as suggested by me.
You should feel better in a day or two.

Follow up with reports!

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
i have a buddy who has the same problems from afib and he is flecainide and initially was on toprol as a rate control medicine. The toprol caused him issues and he was switched to a calcium channel blocker(cardigam) Which proved to be very effective. He suggested that my issues with lightheadedness etc are caused by the toprol and that a switch to a calcium channel blocker may solve that problem/you thoughts.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Since Metoprolol is causing mild bradycardia and hypotension its better to shift either on diltiazem or verapamil.Though they slows down the heart yet effect on blood pressure(most likely cause of your dizziness) is minimal.
As per your query regarding Flecianide i would say that it is a proarrhythmogenic drug and can precipitate a number of arrhytmias hence my suggestion would be to go for either diltiazem or verapamil in doses suggested by your cardiologist.

Good luck!
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
thanks for the information and i will contact my doctor and see if he will move me to Cardizam. I also sent you two forms one from a stress echo in 2015 and an endoscopy from last year. Hopefully i have provided enough information for you and things will get better. I am taking the nexium but not as much as you said is it safe to take the amount you want me to take? Thanks for all your caring remarks and thoughts. I will also try to get another stress echo from my doctor as back up. I just took a two mile walk. Thanks XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Esophagus show metaplasia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi There,
Sorry for a bit delayed reply.

Have gone through your reports stress echo is normal with excellent exercise tolerance.I don't think you need to worry about you heart however endoscopic findings are suggestive of metaplasia. Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one type of cell with another mature cell type. The change from one type of cell to another may be part of a normal maturation process, or caused by some sort of abnormal stimulus.A biopsy should be done to rule out metaplasia as GERD is one of the most common cause of metaplasia.
Yes Nexium can be taken safely upto a dose of 160 mg in a day.In severe cases it is given i.v at a rate of 8-10mg/hr.

Suggestion
Biopsy of esophageal tissue.
Increase doses of nexium to 40 mg twice daily.

Follow up with reports.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (11 hours later)
sent you a biopsy report of the Metaplasia i forgot to send you. I have started to take two nexium tablets a day. I spend the winter in florida and i got this new cardiologist here and he likes to do stress echo of his new patients so i said ok and will do it before i head back to XXXXXXX I am also considering that the discomfort above the belly button could also be muscle strain because i swing pretty hard when i play golf. Also will try to switch to calcium channel blocker. Thanks for your expert advice. XXXXXXX Daley
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Have gone throughyour biopsy report its normal.You are having chronic gastritis.
Most likely your discomfort is due to chronic gastritis. However in case you think its related to muscle sprain take tab Etorcoxib 90 mg for 3 days.If the pain responds to it;Its muscular otherwise not.
Rest follow all advice and i think you will feel better soon.

Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Hiatal Hernia

Brief Answer: Hiatal hernia. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Firstly thanks for choosing this forum to ask query. I would just like to give you a small briefing about ypour problem.This will help you understand why symptoms are more in your case. The esophagus connects to the stomach at an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is normally at the same level as the diaphragm, keeps stomach contents (food, acid, and other digestive juices) from backing up (or refluxing) into the esophagus. But when a sliding hiatal hernia is present, part of the stomach moves up through the hiatus and into the chest cavity. This pushes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) up into the chest cavity away from the hiatus. Away from the hiatus, the XXXXXXX loses the support that it needs from the diaphragm to stay closed. This raises the risk for symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease(as in your case dear). If you are not reileved by prilosec only. Ask your gastroenterologist to consider the following conciderations- - Firstly I would suggest you to switch to Nexium(Esomeprazole). Initially take it 40mg twice daily, However if not relieved doses can be increased to 80mg twice a day.On the day of appointment ask your gastroenterologist to add Prokinetic drug like Option 1. -Levosulpiride- It is a sulpiride isomer and exerts its prokinetic effect by blocking D2 receptors. Recent trials have shown that combining it with PPI's have excellent effect in patients suffering from acid reflux. Option 2. Domperidone- Very effective in treating reflux not controlled by PPI's especially when combined with Rabeprazole/Esomeprazole. However just medicines will not do strict adherence to life style modification is required. -Take a low fat easily digestible food. -Eat a lot of raw salads esp. vegetables. -No alcohol or smoking. -No aerated beverages or soda. -Avoid meat or processed food.-Avoid cheese, Dairy, Milk etc. .-Take a lot's of yogurt in food .-Avoid spicy or fast food(No pizza or Burger).-If possible try vegans diet in dinner and normal diet in lunch.-Drink at least 8 cups of water everyday.-avoid all fruits which are citrus.Avoid orange or pineapple juice.-Eat 1 cups of fruit like banana daily. In case you have to ask any particular question.I would be happy to help. Feel free ask anytime. Regards.