The patient should observe certain precautions in eating habits. The foremost amongst these is not to take water with meals, but half an hour before or an hour after a meal. This helps the digestive process considerably and reduces the incident of heart-burn.
Other important factors in the treatment of this disease are to take frequent small meals instead of three large ones and thorough mastication of food so as to break up the food into small particles and to slow down the rate of intake.
The diet of the patient should consist of seeds, nuts and whole cereal grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on fresh fruits, raw or lightly-cooked vegetables and sprouted seeds like alfalfa and mung beans. At least 50 per cent of the diet should consist of fruits and vegetables.
The foods which should be avoided are over-processed foods, white bread, sugar, cakes, biscuits, rice puddings, over-cooked vegetables, condiments, pickles, strong tea and coffee.
Raw juices extracted from fresh fruits and vegetables are valuable in hiatus hernia. The patient should take three juices diluted with water, half an hour before each meal. Carrot juice is especially beneficial as it has a very restorative effect. It is an alkaline food, which soothes the stomach.
The hot drinks should always be allowed to cool a little before taking. Extremes in temperature, both in food and drink should be avoided. Drinks should not be taken hurriedly but sipped slowly.
Other Measures
In the beginning of the treatment, it will be advisable to raise the head end of the bed by placing bricks below the legs of the bed. This will prevent the regurgitation of food during the night. In case of the infant, all efforts should be made to keep the child upright day and night.
The next important step towards treating hiatus hernia is relaxation. An important measure in this direction is diaphragmatic breathing. The procedure is as follows:
Lie down with both knees bent and feet close to buttocks. Feel relaxed, put both the hands lightly on the abdomen and concentrate the attention on this area. Now breathe in, gently pushing the abdomen up under the hands at the same time, until no more air can be inhaled. Then relax, breathing out through the mouth with an audible sighing sound and allow the abdominal wall to sink back. The shoulders and chest should remain at rest throughout.