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A comment on one of my health problems has little to do with medicinal plants but a lot with the promoter of this blog. The hiatal hernia and the Barrett’s esophagus.

A about three years ago I wrote on one of our other blogs

“What is the cause that the esophageal end of the stomach is inserted into the chest cavity and causes the condition known as hiatal hernia, is something that remains unclear. It is frequently mentioned a weakness of the diaphragm walls.

The fact is that my stomach is timely, at least sometimes, visiting the area for lungs and heart. Consequences, discomfort, although in my case not very noticeable.

I know people who say “to suffer” from hiatal hernia. Who have severe pain and they have difficulties to digest. Smaller meals and more frequent, very healthy food, easily digestible, are some of the recommendations.

I read that there are exercises and massage but I did not think could be effective.

None of this I have done. Normal life, good lunches and as befits a chronically stressed, “like I was swallowing for a contest”. After the first exam I knew, my hiatal hernia was of about 3 cm.

And also appeared Mr. Barrett.

All this was a new subject for me. I was diagnosed in early 2008 with the method of the esophageal probe (not very nice) comforted with the interesting experience of “a journey inside myself,” to be displayed on the monitor the path of the probe tip with a camera at the front, inside of “my” esophagus, the bottom of its walls eroded and scratched and a with a different structure (say the specialist, not me).

By the way the so-called Barrett’s esophagus (I’ll find out who is or was), it is precisely the modification of the surface walls of the esophagus (epithelium and endothelium) that adopt a structure similar to the small intestine walls. The continuous aggression by the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus through the sphincter (cardias) that is not working properly, makes the lesions.

This situation must be controlled because, besides causing minor discomfort, has the risk of becoming cancer, which begins to narrow and occlude the lumen of the esophagus.

The wonders of science, the specialist told me that the key is to neutralize gastric acid, with a small amount acts effectively in digestion. Somehow telling me that I produce more acid than what I need (another of my stress?).

Two years ago I underewent a new fibrogastroscopy (June 10, 2009). With the results of a biopsy I talked to the specialist who made me the “fibro”. The hiatal hernia disappeared and modified tissues of the esophageal wall are gone. There are only small scars of previous erosions.

My treatment. To control the gastric acidity, Lansoprazole 30 mg. per day for anxiety, stress or whatever, teas, chamomile or valerian. In addition, some care in the meals. Finally, a radical change in lifestyle, a different approach to face problems, more realistic and less nervs.

Now, winter of 2011 the situation is the same. Same treatment, no hertburn, no discomforts, a variated diet, a normal life (as far as digestive tract is concern).

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