Medical or surgical management of Hiatus hernia
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Dear Ask The Doctor: When I was 16 I was told I had acid reflux/gerd. I was never put on any meds because my insurance was cut off. 19 I started having issues with keeping my food down. Recently I won my case with SSI and seen a bunch of doctors. I had my galbaldder checked and had a scope run down my throat. I was told I have a hiatal hernai and a stomach ulcer. I was put on carafate and zantac. The zantac helps with the acid reflux but the carafate has done nothing. I recently moved so they have been switching my insurance and SSI over but are having problems and are taking their time. Now that i'm 21 I have been problems keeping my food down over 2 years. It's to the poin where I can't keep anything down at all. I was taking ensure to get the vitamins but now even those make me sick. I'm quite heave and you would think I'd be losing weight but i'm not. I'm tired of people assuming I have an eating disorder and I'm tired of being the one not eating while everyone else is. I have broke down several times crying and it's to the point where this is ruining my life. I can't keep living like this.
Dear Crystal: Your symptoms are having a huge impact on your quality of life, and may in the long term affect your nutritional status. If symptoms of GERD occur in association with a large hiatus hernia, either medical or surgical treatment is indicated to control the reflux. Optimum medical treatment may involve the use of proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor blockers (Ranitidine). Surgical treatment may involve the use of any of the following procedures: Reduction of the herniated stomach into the abdomen; Herniotomy (excision of the hernia sac); Herniorraphy (closure of the hiatal defect); An antireflux procedure; Gastropexy (attachment of the stomach subdiaphragmatically to prevent reherniation. I would advise referral to a gastroenterologist or a gastric surgeon who will provide specialized advice on treatment options in your case. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 May 2010 )
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