Hiatus hernia

Patients should seek urgent medical attention if they develop severe unrelenting chest pain, fever, haematemesis, or persistent vomiting.

Patients treated medically can help reduce symptoms with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, elevating the head of the bed, and avoiding large meals, meals just before bedtime, alcohol, and acidic foods.[6]Roman S, Kahrilas PJ. The diagnosis and management of hiatus hernia. BMJ. 2014 Oct 23;349:g6154. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25341679?tool=bestpractice.com [12]Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL. The management of hiatal hernia: an update on diagnosis and treatment. Med Pharm Rep. 2019 Oct;92(4):321-25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6853045 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31750430?tool=bestpractice.com

Substances suspected to inhibit the lower oesophageal sphincter should also be avoided. These include nicotine, chocolate, peppermint, caffeine, fatty foods, and drugs, such as calcium-channel blockers, nitrates, and beta-blockers.