cheese gets 'stuck' and blocks food

[jlgarseeya]

I have a hiatal hernia that has changed my eating habits quite a bit. I also had my gal bladder removed. After eating certain foods, I get pain and swelling in my xyphoid process area-and after voluntarily tossing my cookies-the pain and swelling goes away. The usual suspects that caused the blockage are baked potatoes, pizza, most meats, salads, and cheeses. I have removed these foods from my diet for the most part.  My question is this: Why does this issue exist? Why can't I get these foods to move into my stomach? Cheese is the most sinister. I can slowly snack on triskets with melted cheddar, but somehow the triskets make it through but the cheese regroups and forms a block.

[FurballsMom]

Definitely avoid all dairy, especially cheese.  It is one of the worst things for people with GI problems of all sorts.  I have IBS and Celiac, so I know about the blocking, even though I haven't had the kinds of surgery you've had.  I also have GERD, so I can definitely relate to digestive issues.  I wonder how many people with digestive issues have food sensitivities and don't know it?  I had to discover the Celiac on my own.  I will never test positive for it, because I no longer eat gluten.  So, I'll never get the official diagnosis.  Although, it is known to be genetic and my young nephew inherited the issue.  Not all celiacs suffer chronic diarrhea.  Celiacs are also lactose intolerant.

So, when I stopped eating gluten and dairy, most of my bowel troubles either diminished significantly or went away.  Gluten and dairy are equal culprits for me, because of the Celiac.  My doctor believes that it's Celiac, too, even though it's not official, because of the other symptoms that are common with the Celiac--just so I clarify that.  She said that the thing of it is that official or not, I'm definitely gluten intolerant and I definitely have all the other related symptoms of Celiac, including malabsorption.

Another big food issue to watch for that is close to the dairy and gluten issue is that of corn.  Corn is actually not very digestable, so keep an eye on how your own body does with corn.  It is not at all uncommon for those of us with digestive issues to have problems with corn.  Corn is a double-whammy for me.  Not only does it cause digestive issues for my in my bowels, but it gives me a migraine.  So, corn was one of the first things I was smart enough to eliminate out of my diet.  I used to love popcorn, but not how popcorn affected me.  I've learned to appreciate rice cakes as a pretty good substitute.  I don't think that rice cakes deserve the bad rap that some people give them.  Fortunately, I'm not alone in that opinion, because I have noticed the markets where they're sold.  Plain old brown rice cakes at Trader Joe's is made and sold in vast quantities.  I'm just saying that it's actually a great substitute for movie watching night.  And, plain rice cakes aren't even as fattening as plain popcorn either.  Just something I thought was worth noting, because I understand all too well how bad food sensitivities are for people.

[suzzie61]

Cheese is one of the hardest things to digest.  Its the worst thing to eat if your trying to diet.  It can cause constipation on a lot of people.
I was told that I have a small hiatal hernia, and I do have reflux.  As long as I take my Nexium I am okay.  The only thing that bothers me,and not sure if its even the hernia.
If I bend over I get a tight twisting feeling in upper abdomen, then when I stand back up it goes away.  You know what triggers your problem, and your doing the right thing to watch certain foods.