Medicines to Treat Hyatal Hernia

Definition

Also known by the term "diaphragmatic hernia", the "hiatal hernia designates a rather common and annoying condition, in which a portion of the stomach rises through the esophageal diaphragmatic hiatus, creating damage. The small hiatus hernia can go unnoticed and unnoticed. create any disturbance; conversely, a substantial hiatal hernia requires surgery.

To understand ... the esophageal diaphragmatic hiatus is a hole in the diaphragm which in physiological conditions allows the passage of the esophagus through the diaphragm

Causes

The triggering cause of the hiatal hernia has not yet been clearly identified; only hypotheses, in which it seems that an abdominal trauma, an excessive congenital weakness of the gastroesophageal tract, an excessive "opening of the esophageal hiatus or a too short esophageal canal, somehow be involved in the onset of the hiatal hernia. Pregnancy could also be a risk factor for this condition.

Symptoms

As can be guessed, the most felt problem in the context of a serious hiatal hernia is the ascent of the gastric contents into the esophagus, responsible in turn for limited burning, retro sternal pain and regurgitation. Other symptoms include: aerophagia, anorexia, bitter mouth, digestive and swallowing difficulties, belching, sore throat, nausea and tracheitis.

Complications: asthma, dyspnoea, cough

Diet and Nutrition

The information on hiatal hernia - drugs for the treatment of "hiatal hernia - drugs for the treatment of" Hiatal hernia.

Medicines

Patients who do not complain of any typical symptoms of hiatal hernia should not be excessively alarmed: it is no coincidence, in fact, that mild hiatal hernia is diagnosed causally, with a non-specific medical check-up. Different speech must be made for severe hiatal hernia: the characteristic symptoms, such as heartburn and belching, could degenerate and become complicated in real digestive difficulties, breathing difficulties and even induce asthma. In such situations, a medical consultation is essential.
There is no drug aimed at treating hiatal hernia; however, the administration of drugs to treat heartburn is particularly useful in alleviating symptoms.
The only completely resolving therapeutic strategy for hiatal hernia is surgery, however reserved for a rather small number of patients (emergency situations, subjects allergic to proton pump inhibitors): generally, the "repair surgery" Hiatal hernia is combined, most often, with an operation to treat gastroesophageal reflux diseases:

Narrowing of the opening of the esophageal hiatus
Reposition of the portion of the stomach that has returned to the esophageal canal
Reconstruction of the esophageal hiatus (in case of excessive weakening)
Removal of the hernia

NOTES: the hiatal hernia, in the long run, can generate an unpleasant sensation of oppression in the chest, which can be easily confused with angina pectoris or with a myocardial infarction: also for this reason, early diagnosis is very important.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against hiatus hernia, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Antacids: indicated to relieve heartburn caused by hiatal hernia. The administration of these drugs ensures rapid relief.

Calcium Carbonate (eg. Cacit, Metocal, Recal): indicatively, it is recommended to take a dose of active variable from 1250 to 3750 mg per day, divided into 2-4 doses during the 24 hours. When calcium carbonate is taken for long periods, in addition to causing swelling, it can lead to constipation.
Sodium bicarbonate or NaHCO3 (eg Citrosodine): this substance acts rapidly by neutralizing acids, but has unpleasant side effects (alkalinization of the urine, swelling, hypersodemia). The use of sodium bicarbonate should not be a common practice, rather it can be used to temporarily reduce symptoms related to hiatus hernia, after consulting a doctor.
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide (eg. Maalox): the two active ingredients present in this product are specially associated, since they have opposite side effects: magnesium hydroxide is a laxative, aluminum hydroxide is responsible for constipation. Take 2-4 tablets per day (500-1500 mg) with plenty of water, 20-60 minutes before meals and at bedtime.

Proton pump inhibitor drugs: very useful to alleviate the symptoms accompanying the hiatal hernia, since their therapeutic activity is exercised by blocking the production of gastric acid, thus leaving the necessary time for the esophagus tissues to repair the damage . Acting directly on the proton pump, these drugs are able to block the production of histamine, gastrin and acetylcholine.

Lansoprazole (eg Pergastid, Lomevel, Lansox): it is recommended to take one 15 mg tablet once a day, before the main meal, and to continue therapy for at least 4 weeks.
Omeprazole (eg Antra, Nansen): start therapy by taking one 20 mg tablet per day (before the main meal, for 4-8 weeks). When necessary, it is possible to increase the dosage to 40 mg / day, as described by the doctor. In some cases, maintenance therapy (10-20 mg / day) is required for a longer period.

H2 blockers (antagonists of histamine H2 receptors): these are antisecretive drugs, indicated to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid, thus calming the back sternal burning perceived in the context of the hiatus hernia.

Nizatidine (eg Nizax, Cronizat, Zanizal): a dose of 150 mg of active ingredient twice a day is recommended. For children who have already turned one year and suffering from gastroesophageal reflux diseases, it is recommended to administer 10 mg / kg per day, divided into two doses, for 8 weeks. If the child is between the ages of 4 and 11, the recommended dose is 6 mg / kg per day, divided into two doses.
Ranitidine (eg Zantac, Ranibloc): administer one 150 mg tablet (orally) twice a day, or 50 mg of active ingredient intravenously or intramuscularly every 6-8 hours (adult dose).
Cimetidine (eg. Ulis, Biomag, Tagamet): oral administration of the drug is recommended, one tablet (400 mg) 4 times a day for 4-8 weeks. It is also possible to administer the drug intramuscularly (200 mg every 4-6 hours) or slow intravenous (200-400 mg in at least 5 minutes, every 4-6 hours).
Famotidine (eg Famotidine EG, Myliconacid): parenteral administration of 20 mg of active every 6 hours is recommended. Alternatively, a dose of 100 mg once daily (or 60 mg twice daily) may be administered orally; continue the therapy for a maximum of one year.

In case of a minor hiatal hernia, it is not necessary to resort to surgery; however, it is strongly recommended to put into practice some simple dietary precautions, useful for relieving the symptoms:

Spread the meal over several snacks throughout the day
Follow a low-calorie diet, especially for overweight patients
Limit spicy foods (responsible for an increase in gastric acidity)
Limit hyperlipidic foods (extend the residence time of food in the stomach)
Drink lots of fluids
Don't wear tight clothes often
Take NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs only when necessary: the administration of these active ingredients, in fact, could exacerbate the symptoms of hiatal hernia.