Hiatal hernias are a relatively common condition that affects many people. If you have hernia symptoms, it’s essential to get treatment as soon as possible from a hiatal hernia surgeon before further damage is done to the esophagus or other organs in that area.
We at Clifton Thomas MD in Harris county TX have you covered we will share all aspects of herniation of the stomach, including what they are, how to get treated for them, and tips for preventing future herniation.
What is a Hiatal Hernia?
When the herniated part of your stomach squeezes through an opening in your diaphragm, this is known as a hiatal hernia. The chest cavity is separated from the abdomen by this muscle.
Obesity and overweight are more likely to cause them because of weakened hernia tissue. However, they can also be caused by previous hernias or certain anatomical defects.
There are often no symptoms or few pains associated with hiatal hernias at first. However, if left untreated, they can become more problematic as they put pressure on surrounding organs.
Over time, they can get worse because the herniated part of your stomach pushes through the opening and gets stuck there, increasing pressure on nearby organs.
Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia
Hernia symptoms include acid reflux, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and an increase in abdomen size. Herniation can sometimes cause heartburn because stomach juices back up into the esophagus, which transports food from the throat to the stomach.
This irritation causes inflammation, which eventually leads to ulcers and other more serious conditions if left untreated.
At Clifton Thomas MD in Humble, we assess patients who have described their symptoms of hiatal hernia as feeling like a burning or pinching sensation in the upper abdomen, lower chest, throat area, and back. For over 29 years of performing hiatal hernia surgery, we have helped patients live a life free from pain and a better quality of life.
How to get treated for herniation of the stomach
Your treatment options will depend on the severity of your herniation and whether you have any other health conditions that may affect surgery.
The treatment you choose will also depend on your personal preferences – some people do not even bother to treat herniation.
But if hiatal hernia symptoms start occurring more frequently, they can cause severe damage over time, so addressing them sooner rather than later is ideal.
We recommend getting admitted into an emergency room right away because leaving the hernia untreated could lead to hernia strangulation, which can quickly become life-threatening.
Suppose you’re experiencing herniated symptoms like heartburn or indigestion. In that case, the best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your local hiatal hernia surgeon. If you live in Humble TX, give us a call at Clifton Thomas MD and we’ll be able to properly diagnose you based on your medical history and physical exam.
Treatment options for herniation of the stomach
Surgery will be recommended as the most effective treatment option because it repositions and strengthens muscles to prevent future herniation from occurring again.
However, it’s vital that you follow all preoperative instructions, like not eating or drinking before surgery, and schedule a date and time with your hiatal hernia surgeon so they know when to expect you at the hospital on surgery day.
At Clifton Thomas MD in Harris County, we use hernia repair procedures commonly applied during hernia surgeries, such as:
The most common treatment is laparoscopic surgery which involves inserting small cameras into your body through tiny incisions to check the health of surrounding organs like the diaphragm muscle.
During this procedure, we will also fix any damage that may have been done during previous occurrences of herniation by stitching up the hole in the diaphragm.
Surgery and recovery time
After hernia surgery, you will need to rest for a few days before returning to your normal activities. This is an outpatient procedure, so patients can go home the same day or stay overnight in our facility if they prefer more comfort during their post-op period.
Hernia surgery typically requires a three-day hospital stay, with most patients returning home by day four. It takes between six and twelve weeks for recovery after hernia surgery, depending on the severity of your condition and the type of hernia repair you had.
At Clifton Thomas MD in Harris County, we recommend taking it easy while you’re recuperating at home since you can be more easily injured when your muscles are weakened from such an invasive procedure like hiatal hernia surgery.
Therefore, you should also avoid heavy lifting until advised otherwise by your hernia surgeon to prevent further damage or injuries. There is no better reason to wait on your family or friends than this!
Tips on how to prevent further damage from herniation of the stomach
There is no substitute for prevention when it comes to herniated stomachs. We cannot guarantee that surgical procedures will prevent future recurrences of herniations, even though they are highly effective in resolving herniations.
There are some simple changes that you can make at home which may help reduce the chances of herniating again:
All these things are what Clifton Thomas MD in Humble recommends as part of hernia treatment.
Other preventive measures include finding a hiatal hernia surgeon, like those at Clifton Thomas MD, who can help keep track of your herniated stomach condition and follow up with you to ensure it doesn’t come back.
With the help of a hiatal hernia surgeon, they can provide you with personalized recommendations based on your eating habits, physical activity level, weight status, and type of work performed in order to reduce the likelihood of further recurrences.
Wrapping Up
Hernias are a common condition that can cause discomfort and even more damage if they’re not treated properly.
Our hiatal hernia surgeon at Clifton Thomas MD can help you if you suffer from heartburn or indigestion due to hernia symptoms in Humble TX. By prescribing the appropriate treatment for your specific condition, he will improve your quality of life.
Call Clifton Thomas MD today at 713-936-0777 and we’ll walk you through the next steps towards recovery and lasting relief.
Humble is a city located in the Houston metropolitan area. Humble became an oil boomtown in the early 20th century when oil was first discovered there in 1904. By 1905, the Humble oilfield was the largest producing oilfield in Texas. Humble was home of The Humble Oil and Refining Company, a predecessor of Exxon.
The first settlers began moving into the Humble area in the early 19th century. Joseph Dunman is believed to be the first settler in 1828. A ferry was built nearby, across the San Jacinto River. The area of Humble became a center for commercial activity due to the region’s large oil industry.
The city got its name from one of the original founders/settlers, Pleasant Smith Humble, who opened the first post office in his home and later served as justice of the peace. In 1883, a city directory reported that he operated a fruit stand. In 1885, he was a wood dealer, and in 1900, the District 99, Justice Pct. 4, Harris Co., Texas Census reported his occupation as attorney at law.
Humble became an oil boomtown in the early 1900 when oil was first produced there. The first oil was produced a couple years after the famous Spindletop discovery in Beaumont, Texas. Railroad linkage was established in 1904, and shortly thereafter the first tank car of oil was shipped out of Humble’s oil field. By 1905 the Humble oilfield was the biggest producing field in Texas. The Humble oil fields are still active and have produced over 138,835,590 barrels (22,073,095 m3) of oil. The town was the home of the Humble Oil & Refining Company, founded in 1911, a predecessor of Exxon. When the oil boom receded, many land owners returned to truck farming, dairy farming and the timber industry.
Learn more about Humble.