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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Can a Hiatal Hernia cause asthma like symptoms?
Answered by
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Can a Hiatal Hernia cause asthma like symptoms?
by Homerjsimpson, Nov 03, 2004 12:00AM
Whilst on holiday in July, towards the end i received what I though was an asthma attack. I suffer from hayfever and only once before felt out of breath through it.To cut a long story short, the asthma medication did not seem to work, the only thing that releived the chest tightness was Amoxicillan. Later it came back again and after a stint in hostpital they asked if i had heartburn. I said yes, now and again. They said I could have reflux and gave me 30mg of Lansoprazole and told me to come back for an endoscopy. Whilst waiting for this, three weeks, I still had breathing problems, it does not matter how much asthma medication I have i am still breathless, i cannot go out and i have been off work. I had the endoscopy two days ago and the doctor says I have a hietus/Hiatal Hernia that is inflammed and infected. He has taken some samples and i have to come back and see him in a week. I am still breathless and seem to have constant heartburn. I am 33 years old, i do not smoke and before all this i had a great life. The past couple of months have been a nightmare. I have not been out and i cannot spend much time with the kids and wife without feeling ill. My chest x-ray was fine and all the heart test are fine. I cannot understand why the doctor has not given me anything to get me throught this week! Can a Hiatal Hernia cause you to feel really out of breath?Is it normal to take samples?Will I get better, because i cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel!I go to the gym (used to!) could this have caused the hernia?
Has anyone else had this?
Regards Karl
Has anyone else had this?
Regards Karl
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 12, 2004 12:00AM
, Nov 12, 2004 12:00AM
If you are continuing to feel out of breath and this is not helped by the asthma medication, this could be due to some problem other than a hiatal hernia or heartburn. A lung specialist or a heart specialist would be able to determine if you have some other problem causing this.
A hiatal hernia can crowd the chest area giving the lungs less room to work. Eating smaller meals can help since a full stomach also crowds the lungs causing increased shortness of breath. Often this is worse with any movement that would cause you to bend forward at the waist since it further crowds your lungs into a smaller space.
It would be normal to take samples since it looked inflamed and infected during the endoscopy. Then further tests can be done to find out what could be causing the inflammation and infection. Only then will your doctor be able to get you started on the best treatment.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube. This is most commonly called acid reflux or heartburn. Your shortness of breath could be caused by esophageal spasm from heartburn. Reflux can come all the way up into the mouth and nose. When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs. This could also explain your shortness of breath. Please check with your doctor about these possibilities.
Reflux can cause the following symptoms:
· Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth;
· Pain occurring in the middle of the chest;
· Coughing and/or choking while lying down;
· Increased trouble breathing while asleep; and
· Even no symptoms at all. This is called “silent reflux” and it is common.
You will need to check with your doctor to know for sure what is causing your shortness of breath. A pH probe is the best test to find out if you truly have reflux. This test measures the acid in your esophagus to see if digestive juices are coming up from your stomach. Please read our Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html for more information about things to do to lessen your heartburn. It’s important that you get started on helpful treatment. Let your doctor know if the Prevacid® (lansoprazole) is not controlling your heartburn. A gastroenterologist is the type of specialist to let you know if further testing is needed to identify reflux and the best treatment.
A hiatal hernia can crowd the chest area giving the lungs less room to work. Eating smaller meals can help since a full stomach also crowds the lungs causing increased shortness of breath. Often this is worse with any movement that would cause you to bend forward at the waist since it further crowds your lungs into a smaller space.
It would be normal to take samples since it looked inflamed and infected during the endoscopy. Then further tests can be done to find out what could be causing the inflammation and infection. Only then will your doctor be able to get you started on the best treatment.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube. This is most commonly called acid reflux or heartburn. Your shortness of breath could be caused by esophageal spasm from heartburn. Reflux can come all the way up into the mouth and nose. When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs. This could also explain your shortness of breath. Please check with your doctor about these possibilities.
Reflux can cause the following symptoms:
· Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth;
· Pain occurring in the middle of the chest;
· Coughing and/or choking while lying down;
· Increased trouble breathing while asleep; and
· Even no symptoms at all. This is called “silent reflux” and it is common.
You will need to check with your doctor to know for sure what is causing your shortness of breath. A pH probe is the best test to find out if you truly have reflux. This test measures the acid in your esophagus to see if digestive juices are coming up from your stomach. Please read our Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html for more information about things to do to lessen your heartburn. It’s important that you get started on helpful treatment. Let your doctor know if the Prevacid® (lansoprazole) is not controlling your heartburn. A gastroenterologist is the type of specialist to let you know if further testing is needed to identify reflux and the best treatment.
See this link on Hiatal Hernia: http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic251.htm
Excerpts:
"*Hiatal hernia also causes symptoms of discomfort when it is associated with a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD. This condition is characterized by upwelling of stomach acids and digestive enzymes into the esophagus through a weakened sphincter that is supposed to act as a one-way valve between the esophagus and stomach. Hiatal hernia is thought to contribute to the weakening of this sphincter muscle.
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Lifestyle changes are often necessary to avoid symptoms.
Modify your activities:
-Minimize heavy lifting, straining, bending over.
-Improve seated posture; don’t slouch.
-Exercise more.
-Lose weight.
-Sleep on an incline, with head of bed raised 4-6 inches on blocks.
-Choose standing activities after a meal rather than sitting or reclining.
Modify your diet. Avoid the following:
-Caffeine
-Chocolate
-Fried or fatty foods
-Peppermint
-Alcohol
-Meals within 2-3 hours of bedtime
-Large meals (eat smaller meals more frequently)
Try over-the-counter remedies. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you are taking other medications, are pregnant, or have other medical conditions, before starting therapy at home.
-Antacids such as Mylanta, Maalox, Gaviscon, or Tums for acute symptoms
-Antacids such as Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid, or Axid to prevent symptoms "
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Instead of elevating head of bed, a medical foam wedge can be used, to elevate upper part of body 6".