K.N.O.W. Home Health - HIATAL HERNIA

HIATAL HERNIA

What is a Hiatal Hernia?

A hiatal hernia happens when part of your stomach pushes up through a small opening in your diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates your chest from your belly. This opening is called the hiatus. Normally, your stomach stays below the diaphragm, but with a hiatal hernia, part of it slips up into your chest.

What Causes It?

Weak muscles in the diaphragm

Injury to the area

Too much pressure in the belly (from coughing, heavy lifting, or straining)

Being overweight

Pregnancy

Symptoms

Some people don’t have any symptoms. If symptoms happen, they may include:

Heartburn (burning feeling in the chest)

Regurgitation (food or sour liquid coming back up into the mouth)

Trouble swallowing

Feeling full very quickly after eating

Chest or upper belly pain

Usual Treatments

Lifestyle changes: Eating smaller meals, avoiding certain foods, and not lying down right after eating

Medicines: To reduce stomach acid and help with symptoms

Surgery: Sometimes needed if symptoms are very bad or if medicines do not help

Special Diet Tips

Eat small, frequent meals instead of large ones

Avoid spicy, greasy, or acidic foods (like tomato sauce, citrus fruits)

Avoid chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and soda

Do not lie down for at least 2–3 hours after eating

Drink fluids between meals instead of with meals to avoid overfilling the stomach

Special Considerations

Exercise: Gentle walking or light exercise is good, but avoid heavy lifting or exercises that strain your belly

Lifting: Avoid lifting heavy objects that make you strain

Body position: Sleep with your head raised 6–8 inches to help keep stomach acid down

Weight: If overweight, losing weight can help relieve pressure on the stomach

Other Helpful Tips

Wear loose clothing to avoid pressure on your belly

Quit smoking—it can make symptoms worse

Keep track of foods and activities that make symptoms worse and avoid them

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Circle True or False for each statement. If the statement is False, correct it so it is true.

1. True / False – A hiatal hernia happens when the stomach pushes up into the chest through the diaphragm.

2. True / False – The diaphragm is the muscle between the chest and the legs.

3. True / False – Being overweight can increase the risk of a hiatal hernia.

4. True / False – Heartburn can be a symptom of a hiatal hernia.

5. True / False – You should eat large meals to help with a hiatal hernia.

6. True / False – Surgery is always the first treatment for a hiatal hernia.

7. True / False – Avoid lying down for 2–3 hours after eating if you have a hiatal hernia.

8. True / False – Spicy and greasy foods may make hiatal hernia symptoms worse.

9. True / False – Heavy lifting can make a hiatal hernia worse.

10. True / False – Gentle walking can help with a hiatal hernia.

11. True / False – The hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through.

12. True / False – Drinking coffee and soda can sometimes make symptoms worse.

13. True / False – A hiatal hernia always causes symptoms.

14. True / False – You should wear tight clothing to support your stomach.

15. True / False – Quitting smoking can help improve symptoms of a hiatal hernia.

16. True / False – Eating smaller meals can help prevent symptoms.

17. True / False – Lifting heavy objects can increase belly pressure.

18. True / False – Surgery may be needed if medicine and lifestyle changes do not help.

19. True / False – You should keep your head raised when sleeping if you have a hiatal hernia.

20. True / False – Regurgitation means food or liquid comes back up into the mouth.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you noticed heartburn, chest discomfort, or food coming back up after eating that could be related to your hiatal hernia?

Activity Impact / Safety:
2. Do you feel pain, shortness of breath, or discomfort when bending, lifting, or lying down after meals?

Treatment Adherence:
3. Have you been able to follow your treatment plan, such as taking your medicines, eating smaller meals, and avoiding lying down right after eating?

Preventive Measures:
4. What steps are you taking to lower your symptoms, such as avoiding heavy lifting, losing weight if recommended, and staying away from foods that trigger heartburn?

Additional Information (labs/tests):
5. Do you understand when your next tests (such as endoscopy or imaging) are scheduled and why they are important to check your condition?