Hiatus Hernia
What Is It?
A hiatus hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. If this happens the sphincter cannot close properly, so stomach acid can travel back into the oesophagus causing heartburn, inflammation and ulcers (see acid reflux).
Hiatus hernia is more common in women and people over 50 but can also affect those who are overweight, pregnant or smoke. It’s estimated that a third of people over 50 have a hiatus hernia.
Cause and Effect
There are two types of hiatus hernias - the more common type is referred to as:
‘Sliding’ hiatus hernia which moves up and down, in and out of the chest area.
‘Rolling’ hiatus hernia, where part of the stomach pushes up through the hole in the diaphragm next to the oesophagus.
The information provided here concentrates on the more common ‘sliding’ hiatus hernia.
There are a number of speculative causes such as increased pressure on the abdomen from things such as pregnancy, obesity, coughing, or straining during bowel movements. Poor posture, tight clothing, even improper lifting can, if we are not breathing correctly, force the stomach into the oesophagus.
There are also the basic causes of digestive problems such as poor food choices, overeating and drinking with meals.
Stress or anger is also thought to be a possible factor in developing a hiatus hernia. www.modernherbalmedicine.com
Juice Pharmacy Recommendations
What to Avoid
Processed foods, meats, grains, dairy foods, dietary fats, fatty or spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, tomatoes and processed orange juice.
Mint - For some people, mint can aggravate symptoms.
What to Include
Juices including the following fruits and vegetables have been used to help people with hiatal hernias: cabbage juice, especially where ulcerations have occurred, apple, broccoli, carrot, celery and coriander. Due to their digestive enzymes, figs, papaya and pineapple are useful. www.doctoryourself.com
Banana - The potassium in banana can help to strengthen the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). Bananas can also neutralise hydrochloric acid.
Fibre - A 1981 study carried out by Denis P. Burkitt M.D. D.Sc. F.R.C.S E.R.S hypothesised that fibre-depleted diets are a major factor in the causation of hiatus hernia and this is consistent with all that is known of the disease.
Water - In order for the digestive system to work as it was designed to, the body must have an adequate supply of water. It is recommended to increase your liquid intake as water enables a hormone/neurotransmitter called motilin to be secreted, the effect of which is to produce rhythmic contractions called ‘peristalsis’. With insufficient water for all the digestive events to take place, problems such as hiatus hernias can occur. (Your Body’s many Cries for Water - F Batmanghelidj, M.D.)
The Juice Recipes
Shot: The Carrot Shot
1 Carrot
1 Inch of Ginger
Juice and down in one.
Juice: The Rainbow Remedy - taken from Jason Vale's Super Juice Me! 28-Day Plan
2 Apples (Golden Delicious or Gala)
1 Carrot
1 Celery Stalk
¼ Cucumber
1 Medium Bulb of Raw Beetroot
1 Small Handful of Red Cabbage
1 Tomato (remove stalk)
3cm Chunk of Raw Ginger
¼ Lemon (rind on, wax free)
3 Ice Cubes
Juice all the fruits and vegetables, then either pour the extracted juice into the blender with the ice and blend or simply add ice to a glass and pour over.
Disclaimer
Please note, it is impossible to give a definitive list as what supports one person can be a trigger food or allergen for another. You must stay your own juice detective at all times and listen to how your own body responds to certain foods and always consult with your healthcare provider when making changes to your diet which may affect your medication. Please be aware that we are not doctors, so it is important to consult with your GP or medical practitioner BEFORE making any changes to your diet. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, or a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, are provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.