A Quick Fix for Hiatal Hernia

In my family, we refer to this as a 'Hyena Hernia' in honor of a charmingly mistaken old friend of my mother's.

Regular doctors sometimes talk surgery for this condition. Or they may recommend zantac or other acid reducers, leaving the hernia intact while destroying one's ability to produce the necessary acid to digest food. Other typical suggestions include things like not eating for two hours before going to bed; or sitting up somewhat rather than lying down completely flat, so that gravity works in your favor; or not bending over or otherwise putting pressure on the stomach from below when the stomach is full; or lose weight... That sort of thing.

A wonderful chiropractor taught me this easy and very effective trick back when my own "hyena" hernia was a constant problem. When I first learned this trick, I would do it several times a week. That was a few years ago. Gradually I needed it less and less. By now I had nearly forgotten about it until someone mentioned it again recently. Apparently the opening must tighten back up on its own once it is no longer being distended by a full stomach popping through. All I really know is that this worked well for me. It made a lot of miserable moments a lot less miserable, and it might even have fixed the underlying problem.

First thing in the morning, after fasting all night, drink a full glass of water quickly. This puts weight in the stomach. Then hop up and down (You don't have to leap entirely off the ground. Getting up on your toes and bouncing will do.) while relaxing your abdominal muscles. Basically, what this does is pull the stomach back down below the diaphragm where it belongs. Then if you can avoid putting pressure on the stomach from below while it is full, it will pretty much stay there.

Good luck! I hope this is as helpful for you as it was for me.