The hiatal hernia can also be asymptomatic, but often causes esophageal reflux with heartburn and digestive difficulties. Let's see what hiatal hernia is and how we can naturally reduce the symptoms .

What is hiatal hernia

The hiatal hernia is a disease that affects the stomach and esophagus. It is a herniation of a part of the stomach through the diaphragmatic hiatus.

In 90% of cases the hiatal hernia is from slipping, with formation of a protusion of the stomach through the hiatus. The slipped hiatal hernia may not produce symptoms or cause reflux esophagitis : gastric reflux is generally the most common symptom.

The remaining cases of hiatal hernia are rolling or paraesophageal, in which a portion of the stomach rises through the hiatus and is found in the esophagus. Paraesophageal hernia can form as a result of surgery and can cause difficult digestion, gastritis, ulcers and other complications.

How to reduce the symptoms of hiatal hernia

The main symptom of hiatal hernia is reflux esophagitis, caused by the regurgitation of acid gastric contents into the esophagus.

This phenomenon causes inflammation of the mucosa, with lengthening and congestion of the dermal papillae and basal cell hyperplasia. Symptoms include burning in the pit of the stomach, digestive difficulties, regurgitation .

To reduce the symptoms of hiatal hernia it is necessary to avoid situations that promote reflux. Among other things, it is advisable to moderate the portions of food and not to take certain foods (including alcohol and spicy foods).

To avoid compressing the stomach area, avoid tight clothes and belts . It is also not recommended to take a lying position shortly after meals, to counteract the reflux of gastric contents from the stomach to the esophagus.

Among the natural remedies useful for reducing the symptoms of hiatal hernia in the first place there is certainly the root of licorice root to be taken in the form of herbal tea. Other useful herbs for this purpose are the emollient and soothing ones such as mallow, linseed, chamomile and yarrow.

Alginates extracted from algae are also effective in reducing reflux: these substances, taken after meals, create a gel at the level of the pit of the stomach, preventing the gastric contents from rising to the surface.