Hiatal hernia

Hello!

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with exactly the same and yes unfortunately the phlegm in the throat is due to gastritis / acid reflux. The chest pain is also the gastritis. Hiatal hernias are usuallh pretty much symptomless.

Your doctor could put you on ppi's for acid control, you should probably ask them about it. As far as the chest pain goes stick to paracetamol. Aspirin and Ibruprofen will really irritate your stomach!

Your hiatus hernia will be exacerbating reflux.

If you have gastritis, it could be due to H-Pylori bactrium or acid over-secretion.

Various different tests exist for H-Pylori including a simple breath test. If you have been tested and found positive, you should be prescribed a course of a couple of different antibiotics.

If you have acid hyper-sectretion, you should be prescribed acid suppressant medication, probably omeprazole.

Chest pains may have various causes. The first immediate test is for your heart. Once this is ruled out, it's likely to be from reflux of acid. Acid suppressant medication should reduce this.

Phlegm in the thorat may be due to various stimuli but it sounds as if in your case it's reflux. Anything form the stomach (acid or not) refluxing into the oesophagus via the lower oesophageal sphincter weakened by the presence of a hiatus hernia, can travel full column and breach the upper oesophageal sphincter. This extra-oesophageal reflux can aspirate into the respiratory system causing damage.

In Irritating the throat, bronchi etc, extra mucous (plegm) is produced as a protective measure and to help expel the foreign particles.

Unfortunately, although there are medicines to reduce acid, there are no medicines to reduce reflux - this is something you have to manage yourself:

Lose weight if necessary, avoid overfilling your stomach (eat little and often). Avoid exercise after food that compresses the abdomen. Avoid tight clothing. Leave at least 3 hours between your last meal and bed. Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches on blocks.

Yes, my husband had the same symptoms. I believe it was Lodger who suggested lemon juice before meals.  Put the lemon in microwave for a minute -this will get you more juice and the same lemon should get you through a day.  If I'm wrong about anything Lodger can correct me.

it works for my husband.

Surprised they didn't give you something. There are many OTC remedies available without a prescription. Did they give you a diet to follow?

from what ive read stateside,hiatal hernia can worsen gerd that previously was under control with ppi. in other words if you were getting by pretty good on ppi before the new hernia development or a worsening of an already existing hernia it could cause trouble with the medications helping you. sort of fits my profile rven though ive never been diagnosed as having a hernia i suspect one due to reflux coming up just bending over where previously that never happened. the pocket of herniated stomach must be pooling reflux that is easily pushed up versus a smaller hernia or not having one at all.