A 28 yr. old man for the last 16 years has been suffering with stomach cramps, gas, runs, constipation, vomiting when he eats. This discomfort is so great that he eats very little. He is about 5 8 tall and weighs about 150 but can go down to 130 lbs when he gets severe bouts of vomiting. He was taking the medicine dicyclmicine, and something like nexxum that coats your stomach. It did not help. I believe his doctor told him that he had a hiatal hernia and something with the flap on top of his esophagus will close up and he can t swallow his food. I asked him to drink at least one 8 oz. glass of water before he eats because hydration helps me when i have swallowing issues. He can t go on like this. It affects work and his personal life and we are at a loss as how to help him. what steps should we take and what tests should he have performed in order to diagnose his condition? I believe he has run the gamut of tests because he has been hospitalized at least twice for this problem. We need someone who can help him.