Hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm. This can cause many unpleasant symptoms. You can treat a hiatal hernia with a simple daily routine.
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What is a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is a weakening of the diaphragm.
The weakening causes the upper part of the stomach, where the lower oesophageal sphincter is located, to slide uncontrollably up through the hole in the diaphragm, through which the esophagus normally passes.
What is a diaphragm?
The diaphragm is a thin muscle that separates the heart and lungs from the stomach and other internal organs. The diaphragm has several functions, including aiding in respiration. Another important role is to hold the stomach in place beneath it.
When the diaphragm functions properly, it keeps the stomach in its correct position below it, preventing the corrosive stomach acid from escaping. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) then closes tightly, acting like a trapdoor. Food can pass from the esophagus into the stomach, but not back up.
However, when the LES moves above the diaphragm, its function is impaired, allowing stomach acid or other stomach contents to leak up into the esophagus. This can lead to unpleasant symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and a cough.
The esophagus can also be pushed upwards, making it difficult to swallow and causing a sensation of a lump in your throat.
Other names for a hiatal hernia
If you have hiatal hernia symptoms, you may have heard many different names for your symptoms. Diaphragmatic hernia and hiatus hernia are some of the other names for hiatal hernia.
Symptoms of a hiatal hernia
Hiatal hernias can cause a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms can come and go and may not be felt every day. They can also vary over time.
Common symptoms
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- The feeling of a lump in the throat or dysphagia
- Mucus in the throat or throat clearing
- Dry cough or hoarse voice
- Belching or gas
- Pain in the chest, food pipe or back
- Voice changes or breathing problems
Different symptoms – the same root cause
The wide range of symptoms associated with a hiatal hernia is due to the body’s diverse responses to this condition.
The burning sensation in the throat is caused by the corrosive stomach acid, while the mucus and cough are the body’s way of protecting the mucous membranes from damage. Chest pain occurs due to the restricted space in the chest cavity as parts of the stomach herniate into the thorax. The sensation of a lump in the throat is caused when the esophagus is pushed upwards by the hernia.
For more information about the various symptoms, please click on the links in the list above.
Hans had a painful hiatal hernia – doctors couldn’t help him
After 50 years of playing golf, Hans had to stop. Every golf swing hurt, and there was no help from the healthcare system. But after three months of training with IQoro, he could start playing golf again.
IQoro has given me a new lease of life! Read more
Hiatal hernia treatment
A hiatal hernia occurs when the muscles in the diaphragm weaken, making it unable to hold the stomach in place. This causes the lower esophageal sphincter to not close tightly, and the esophagus to be pushed upwards. Stomach acid can then leak up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Since the underlying cause of these problems is weak muscles, the only long-term effective treatment is to strengthen the diaphragm through exercise.
When the muscles become stronger, they can hold the stomach in place more effectively, reducing and eventually eliminating the unpleasant symptoms.
IQoro strengthens the diaphragm
IQoro provides an effective treatment for hiatal hernias. A simple 30-second exercise routine, three times a day, is sufficient to achieve optimal results.
Place the IQoro between your lips but outside your teeth, and gently pull outwards while resisting with your lips. This exercise stimulates nerves in the mouth, causing the brain to activate a total of 148 muscles between the mouth and stomach with high intensity, including the diaphragm.
Many of these muscles cannot be activated voluntarily, making them inaccessible through traditional exercises. IQoro works by stimulating the nervs in your mouth, sending signals to the brain, which in turn instructs the weakened muscles to engage.
Regular and powerful muscle activation leads to increased strength. In essence, IQoro provides targeted strength training for all the muscles involved when we swallow. This is achieved through a simple, brief exercise that can be performed anywhere.
As your muscles strengthen, your symptoms will gradually diminish and eventually disappear altogether. The effectiveness of this treatment has been validated in internationally published, peer-reviewed studies conducted at Swedish universities.
How do I know if IQoro is working for me?
IQoro works equally well whether you are old or young, and regardless of body weight.
IQoro also works regardless of whether you have had your hiatal hernia diagnosed by a doctor, or if you only suffer from symptoms suggestive of a hiatal hernia.
Clinical studies have shown that 97% of participants reported positive results when using IQoro. If you follow the included training manual, and thus follow the same protocol as our study participants, for six months without seeing any improvement, we’ll provide a full refund through our results guarantee.
“I have recommended IQoro to many friends and family members. Those who have used it consistently have all experienced improvements in their symptoms.”
Nina J, verified customer
Proven efficacy in scientific studies
The efficacy of IQoro has been proven in several internationally published and peer reviewed studies published in international medical journals. The studies were carried out at Swedish universities.
Clinical studies have shown that a minimum of 97 percent of participants with hiatal hernia symptoms, experienced improvement after treatment with IQoro.
How quickly will I improve?
Our recommended training period for hiatal hernia is six months, based on the research conducted so far.
However, the majority of our customers experience positive effects much earlier than that. This is based on feedback from over 10,000 customer surveys. Many notice a difference after just a few weeks, while it takes longer for others.
The treatment with IQoro provides a gradual improvement over time. This means that you will feel progressively better as your muscles become stronger.
IQoro works differently from medications that provide quick relief but lose their effect once you stop taking them.
The studies do not examine the improvement curve
The clinical studies have investigated participants’ symptoms before treatment and how they feel after a pre-determined period, which in all studies has been between 6-8 months.
They have not examined the gradual improvement, for example, how participants feel after two months or four months, but have only looked at how the participants’ symptoms changed after 6-8 months of training. At that point, the results show that at least 97 percent have improved their symptoms.
Therefore, the results do not indicate how early in the treatment period participants began to feel better.
Why does the treatment time vary between people?
The treatment time with IQoro depends partly on how long your muscles have been weakened, and how diligent you are in following your daily training routine.
A general rule is that the longer you’ve had symptoms, the longer it may take to strengthen your hiatal hernia and improve your symptoms. This is because a hiatal hernia is caused by weakened muscles.
It’s similar to taking a break from running, or going to the gym. The longer you stay away from training, the longer it takes to get back to the same level. That’s why it’s important to start treatment for your hiatal hernia as early as possible.
But it’s also important to emphasise that it’s never too late to start. It’s also not wasted effort if you miss your routine occasionally, but it may take a bit longer to see results. Just like with any other training.
Three studies – same results
Of the studies conducted on the effect of IQoro, three are particularly interesting for people with symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
The studies have investigated the effect of the training, as well as whether factors such as BMI affect the results, and if it matters whether the participants have a diagnosed hiatal hernia or just clear symptoms.
The results of all three studies are consistent. Training with IQoro provides equivalent results in alleviating symptoms of a hiatal hernia for all participants. For example, it doesn’t matter if you are overweight or lack a diagnosis from an endoscopy. The majority of participants became completely symptom-free.
Always with a results guarantee
We know that IQoro works, and we are confident that you will feel better once you start your daily training routine.
Scientific studies, clinical experience, thousands of reviews, and numerous stories from satisfied customers who contact our support, speak for themselves. IQoro is an effective treatment method.
That’s why IQoro always comes with a results guarantee. If you follow our treatment plan for six months and still don’t see any improvement, you will get your money back.
“Symptom-free and medication-free after so many years with a hiatal hernia and reflux! What a difference with such a simple device.”
Judith M, verified customer
Other treatment methods
There are essentially two other methods of treating symptoms of a hiatal hernia: antacid medication and surgery.
- Antacid medication is only a temporary solution that relieves your symptoms. You can read more about this in the section on symptom relief below.
- Surgery on a hiatal hernia is unusual and not without its risks. Find more about hiatal hernia surgery in the section at the bottom of this page.
Risks of a hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia causes symptoms that can increase the risk of a number of serious conditions, including:
- Swallowing problems that can cause food to get stuck in your throat.
- A flow of stomach acid up the oesophagus that in the long-term increases the risk of cell changes and cancer.
- Mis-swallowing that can increase the risk of pneumonia.
- Poorer dental and oral health.
- An incorrect load on the other muscles in the swallowing process, which in the long run can lead to problems with snoring and sleep apnoea.
Is the corrosive damage on your teeth due to reflux?
Corrosive damage to the teeth due to acid reflux is more common than you might think. But how is reflux connected to poor oral health?
Corrosive damage to the teeth due to acid reflux is more common than you might think. Read more
Important not to postpone treatment
When the diaphragm has become weakened, other muscles in the swallowing process need to work harder to compensate. Over time, this leads to more and more muscles becoming overworked or weakened, causing symptoms to worsen.
The heartburn starts to occure more frequently, that feeling of a lump in the throat gets worse and chest pain can eventually become so bad that it feels like a heart attack.
Therefore, to avoid the symptoms getting worse, it is important to start strengthening the muscles as soon as possible. In addition, it takes longer and longer to build up the muscles the longer you wait to start training.
My partner thought I was a hypochondriac
Magnus has always been a bii of a hypochondriac, so when food started to get stuck in his throat, his thoughts turned to cancer. He hardly thought that the solution would be a little plastic training device.
I thought that rocket salad and Parma ham would be the death of me. Read Magnus’ story
Symptom relief
IQoro treats the cause of a hiatal hernia, with scientifically proven efficacy. But it can take a few months before your training gives complete results. Therefore, it may be a good idea to relieve symptoms in other ways as well.
Here is some general advice for relieving symptoms of a hiatal hernia. But remember that the following advice will not strengthen your weakened diaphragm, it will only relieve the discomfort temporarily.
- Raise the head end of the bed about 15 cm.
- Sleep on your left side, so that the contents of your stomach do not come up into the oesophagus as easily.
- Change your diet – avoid foods and drinks that you know cause discomfort.
- Drink water after each bite as you eat.
- Avoid bending down to the floor from a standing position.
- Avoid heavy lifting.
Hiatal hernia treatment with medication
Some of the problems caused by a hiatal hernia can be alleviated with the help of antacid medication. There are both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Common to them is that they relieve some of the symptoms, but they do not treat the hiatal hernia itself.
However, these medications can have serious side effects when used for extended periods of time. You should therefore only use them as a temporary solution.
These reflux symptoms can’t be treated with acid reflux tablets
Acid reflux tablets are the most common treatment for reflux. But while some reflux-related symptoms are treatable with medicine, others are not. Read more to learn when acid reflux tablets are effective and when they’re not.
Learn more about conditions that cannot be treated with reflux medication. Read more
Why does a hiatal hernia occur?
Between the lungs and the stomach is the diaphragm. It is a large, thin muscle that acts as a partition in the middle of the body.
It allows us, for example, to perform a handstand without food falling out through our mouth and our kidneys ending up by our heart.
In the middle of the diaphragm there is a hole where the oesophagus can pass through, which is called the hiatus canal. Just below the hiatus canal, at the top of the stomach, is the lower oesophageal sphincter.
As long as the lower oesophageal sphincter is under the diaphragm, it closes tightly upwards. Food and liquid can then make their way into the stomach, but not back up again.
But in order for us to vomit or burp, the lower oesophageal sphincter and part of the stomach can slide up through the hole in the diaphragm to release stomach contents if necessary.
As soon as we have finished vomiting, the stomach returns to its normal position under the diaphragm.
How can an exercise in the mouth treat a hiatus hernia?
How come holdning IQoro with your lips for 30 seconds actually works as an exercise for hiatus hernia? In this article, we explain how IQoro stimulates the body’s own nervous system and thus treats your problems. A common question among our prospective customers is “how can exercising inside the mouth treat a hiatus hernia”? The answer […]
How can the diaphragm actually get stronger if you hold the IQoro with your lips for 30 seconds? Read more
What happens in the event of a hiatal hernia?
In the case of a hiatal hernia, the top part of the stomach slides up into the chest cavity even when we are not vomiting. This is because the diaphragm’s muscles are weakened and cannot hold the stomach in place.
The stomach then slides uncontrollably up and down through the diaphragm and can remain in the chest cavity for a long time. And since the lower oesophageal sphincter cannot tighten when it is above the diaphragm, stomach acid begins to leak into the oesophagus.
The corrosive stomach acid then causes discomfort in the form of heartburn, acid reflux etc.
In addition, the oesophagus is affected by the stomach pressing upwards. It folds like an accordion, which can cause pain and that food can get stuck on the way down the stomach.
Stomach acid leaks out
When stomach acid leaks into the oesophagus, it is called reflux,it is also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD/GORD. The acid causes a number of different problems.
It corrodes the oesophagus and if it reaches the mouth, can cause corrosive damage to teeth. Other symptoms include bad breath, cough, heartburn, acid reflux and nausea.
When stomach acid leaks up, thick phlegm forms. This is because the oesophagus creates a thick phlegm to protect the mucous membranes from the corrosive stomach acid.
The stomach that has slipped up into the chest displaces other organs, such as the lungs and heart. It can cause pain across the chest that can sometimes be perceived as so severe that it is misinterpreted as a heart attack.
Hiatal hernia in children
Children with a hiatal hernia may have difficulty swallowing. The child then often refuses to eat certain foods, which can be misinterpreted as food refusal.
At about six months of age, the child’s oesophagus usually begins to increase in length. At about 12 months, the stomach has usually ended up in the right place under the diaphragm.
In some children, however, the lower oesophageal sphincter remains above the diaphragm causing the same symptoms as in adults with a hiatal hernia.
The hernia can cause children to decline dry and solid food but accept fluids.
Do you always find swallowing food difficult?
Do you experience an obstructive sensation in your chest when swallowing food of a certain size? This can be due to, for example, a tumour, scarring or pockets along the oesophagus. This is known as chronic dysphagia.
If you think you have chronic dysphagia, you should contact your medical healthcare centre and ask for a referral to a specialist doctor – surgeon or gastroenterologist.
Achalasia or hiatal hernia
In some cases, a hiatal hernia can be confused with other diseases. One example is the rare oesophageal disease achalasia cardiae.
If you have been examined for achalasia and have been diagnosed with achalasia cardiae, you should only start treatment with IQoro on your doctor’s advice and with careful follow-up.
However, there are people who have been told by healthcare professionals that they may have achalasia, but where the diagnosis of achalasia cardiae has not been established. In these cases, achalasia and hiatal hernia may have been confused.
4 differences between achalasia cardiae and a hiatal hernia
- Achalasia – always difficulty swallowing certain sizes of food
Hiatal hernia – swallowing problems occur periodically or with different sizes of food. - Achalasia – never heartburn or acid reflux
Hiatal hernia – may have heartburn or acid reflux - Achalasia – rapid weight loss
Hiatal hernia – no significant weight loss - Achalasia – frequent pneumonias
Hiatal hernia – pneumonias are uncommon
If you suspect that you have developed achalasia cardiae, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to get an evaluation.
- Read more under Akalasi (Achalasia cardiae).
Seeking medical care
A hiatal hernia is common and can cause problems that affect your everyday life. Since an untreated hiatal hernia can worsen, it is a good idea to start treating it at an early stage.
When should I seek medical help?
If you have problems that indicate a hiatal hernia, we recommend that you contact your medical healthcare centre. Your doctor can then rule out other more serious diseases.
You can start treating your problems with IQoro while waiting for an appointment for examination. IQoro does not cause any negative side effects and can therefore be used without risk except in a few rare cases.
Contact your medical healthcare centre if the symptoms of a hiatal hernia worsen quickly. Do you have heartburn as well as black stools, or when vomiting bring up something that looks like coffee grounds? Then you should go to a medical healthcare centre or A&E as soon as possible.
Examinations and investigations
If you seek treatment for a hiatal hernia, you will most likely be examined by a doctor at your medical healthcare centre. You will then have to describe your problems. Therefore, it may be a good idea to consider the following questions before your doctor’s visit:
- How often do you experience your symptoms?
- How long have you had the symptoms?
Feel free to do our self-test for a hiatal hernia to see if you have one or not. The test only takes three minutes and is completely free.
Gastroscopy in the event of a hiatal hernia
When seeking help for hiatal hernia symptoms, doctors might want to perform a gastroscopy. A camera is then inserted through the nose to examine the mucous membrane of the oesophagus and stomach. It can also be done to take a tissue sample.
The gastroscopy is mainly performed to rule out other diagnoses – not specifically to see if you have a hiatal hernia.
Not always detected during a gastroscopy
With a hiatal hernia, the upper part of the stomach slides up and down through the opening in the diaphragm, through which the oesophagus passes. When the stomach slides up, it can release stomach acid and cause discomfort. Then it slides back down for a while before sliding up again.
When you are lying on the hospital bed and the doctor is performing the gastroscopy, it is often only possible to detect the hiatal hernia if the stomach has slid up through the diaphragm at that exact moment.
If the stomach is in its proper place, below the diaphragm, the doctor will tell you that no hiatal hernia could be seen. This can happen even if the stomach might slide up again immediately after the gastroscopy is finished.
There is no other way to detect a hiatal hernia with a camera, as it’s not possible to determine if a muscle is weakened just by looking at it.
“I have not been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia by my doctor, but after testing myself, everything matches. I have experienced significant improvement since I started using IQoro.”
Vera M, verified customer
Surgery for a hiatal hernia
Surgery for a hiatal hernia is a treatment in which the hernia is compensated by a surgical procedure. However, it is both risky and awkward and is therefore only offered in a few cases where no other treatment methods work.
Hiatal hernia surgery involves sewing up the upper part of the stomach, which means that it can no longer slide up above the diaphragm. However, surgery does not improve the strength of the diaphragm.
After surgery, you will no longer be able to burp or vomit. You will therefore need healthcare assistance when you need to empty your stomach. This is done by inserting a catheter (a tube-shaped instrument) into the stomach and through it the contents are then emptied. Research shows that training with IQoro is a simple, risk-free and cost-effective treatment that can prevent the need for hiatal hernia surgery.
“I have had problems with my throat for over three years and discovered IQoro. A lot of the issues have eased significantly. Would absolutely recommend as this has been a super help to me.”
Gordon T, verified customer
Citations
- Kjellén G, Tibbling L. Manometric oesophageal function, acid perfusion test and symptomatology in a 55-year-old general population. Clinical Physiology. 1981; 1:405-15
- Hägg M, Tibbling L, Franzén T. Esophageal dysphagia and reflux symptoms before and after oral IQoro® training. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21(24): 7558-7562.
- Hägg M, Tibbling L, Franzén T. Effect of IQoro® training in hiatal hernia patients with misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention symptoms. Acta Otolaryngol. 2015 Jul; 135 (7):635-9.
- Nin CS, Marchiori E, Irion KL, Paludo Ade O, Alves GR, Hochhegger DR, Hochhegger B. Barium swallow study in routine clinical practice: a prospective study in patients with chronic cough. J Bras Pneumol 2013; 39: 686-691 [PMID: 24473762 DOI:10.1590/S1806-37132013000600007]
- Tibbling-Grahn L, broschyr 03 Svenska Dysfagiförbundet, Stoppar maten upp i bröstet när du äter? Mellangärdesbråck – En vanlig matstrupssjukdom i alla åldrar.