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The stomach is an area of the gastrointestinal tract (gastro means stomach) that stores eaten food for approximately two to four hours while it gets digested with enzymes secreted from the salivary glands and with enzymes found in the food itself.
Stomach acid further breaks down the protein in the food and prepares it for more enzymatic digestion in the small intestine. Stomach acid also is beneficial in killing any bacteria that has been ingested.
The stomach is lined with special cells that protect it against the acid. The esophagus leading into the stomach from the mouth does not have these special cells in its lining. That is why, when acid regurgitates up from the stomach, it burns the lining of the esophagus.
Because the esophagus travels beside the heart, this acid burn is often referred to as heartburn. This sharp “acid” pain is to be distinguished from the heavy “pressure” sensation felt when an actual heart attack occurs.
The term hiatal hernia is defined as the situation when the upper part of the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm which normally separates the stomach from the esophagus.
Without the diaphragm separating the stomach from the esophagus, acid can splash up the esophagus and cause burning pain and damage. If this phenomenon becomes chronic it will be labeled as GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease). The acid can sometimes splash high enough to irritate the vocal cords.
Though the commonly used antacids can be immediately effective in resolving the discomfort, they also are shutting down an important defense system that would otherwise kill ingested bacteria.
A healthier quick fix for acid reflux is to reposition the stomach, with its acid, back through the hole in the diaphragm to restore the separation of the two different tissues. This can be accomplished by pushing the fingers up under the ribs in front and pulling down several times. This mechanically pulls the stomach down below the diaphragm.
Another method of doing this is to swallow several glasses of water, effectively placing a weight in the stomach. Then abruptly come down off a step or simply raise up on the toes and come down hard on the heals. This action pulls the stomach down below the diaphragm.
Though effective, these are often temporary solutions.
Some reasons given for causing hiatal hernias include too short of an esophagus, heavy lifting, hard coughing or sneezing, violent vomiting, pregnancy, strain with constipation, and obesity.
My theory about the extremely high incidence of hiatal hernia diagnoses is that the diaphragm becomes loose from lack of use, allowing the stomach to inch up past the normally tight hole through which the esophagus passes.
This lack of use of the diaphragm is the result of so many individuals suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). What I mean by this is that a lot of people experience very stressful situations that they subconsciously carry with them for very long periods of time – months, years.
A person in this state keeps their body on alert for impending danger. Some of the normal adjustments a body makes are to slow down the digestive tract, constrict blood vessels, increase adrenal alertness and to breathe with shallow breaths.
This last adjustment means that a body uses the muscles between the ribs, normally used only with heavy exertion to bring in extra air, and stops the use of the diaphragm. The diaphragm then becomes weak, as any muscle would without exercise. This then results in a widening hole and a herniation of the stomach.
The permanent solution under this scenario becomes stress management.
This sometimes is facilitated through deep-breathing exercises. It is certainly not an easy transition from a subconscious state of stress to a more functionally normal balanced state. The hiatal hernia becomes just a symptom of an underlying condition that requires due diligence for an extended period of time to resolve.
If one can reestablish good diaphragmatic breathing habits and regain a balanced autonomic nervous system (fight-or-flight, sympathetic-parasympathetic nervous system) then that person can resolve the acid reflux of hiatal hernia. That person can also gain a great deal of energy that is unnecessarily being spent in the subconscious stressed state.
Dr. Michael Miles is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology and pre-med, he completed his studies in medicine at the highly regarded Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Miles offers a holistic, integrative general practice, which focuses on treating chronic and degenerative diseases, digestive disorders and hormonal imbalances, as well as allergies and infections of all kinds. He holds a special interest in chelation therapy used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. He is also very active in cancer research. He prefers non-toxic treatment techniques that include botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and homeopathy, but will offer pharmaceutical remedies when appropriate. You will find Dr. Miles to be compassionate, sincere and a strong advocate for your health. He is opening a new office in Catalina in June of 2014 which will feature hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to his normal services. www.catalinaclinic.com
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