Hiatal Hernia is a kind of abdominal wall hernia. This is a condition, where the stomach lining pushes through the chest. The hiatus is actually the opening of the diaphragm that detaches the abdomen and the chest cavity.

There are two kinds of major hiatal hernia, one is sliding and the other one is paraesophageal. The most common kind of hernia is the sliding hernia in which the stomach slides up to the chest. While, the paraesophageal hiatal hernia is not a common one, in this type of hernia,  a part of a stomach pushes through the hiatus, which ends up in the esophagus. Paraesophageal hernia could be a little risky as a person could not experience any symptoms. Hence, as it could be symptom less, there is a high chance that the stomach could get strangled and end up with its blood supply being cut off.

Heartburn coupled with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common symptom of hiatal hernia. The source of hiatal hernia is often unknown. A few individuals might have a larger hiatal opening from birth. Additionally, the added strain on the abdomen that is observed during pregnancy, obesity, straining during bowel movement or coughing could also contribute to hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia is mostly observed in individuals who are overweight and who are over 50 years of age.

Hiatal hernia treatment by home remedies
Home remedies can help in hiatal hernia cure. For instance, having a diet, that is completely dedicated towards reducing the symptoms like heartburn and reflex. There are certain kinds of food that aid in reducing symptoms which include rice, bananas, carrots, apples, broccoli, bread, low-fat yogurt, lean meat, skimmed milk, pasta and cereals. Foods that need to be avoided that could worsen the symptoms include fatty or fried foodstuffs, citrus fruits, spicy food, onions, chocolate, airy products, oil, butter, coffee, tea, alcohol and butter.
One needs to make certain kind of lifestyle changes that will help you a along way in curing hiatal hernia are, eating small portions and smaller meals as compared to eating large portions and large meals, losing weight if you are overweight, reducing the intake of acidic food as much as possible, avoid lying down after having a meal, raising your pillow up to six inches high in order to avoid the backflow of the stomach content and not smoking.

One also needs to follow other home remedies such as :

• Having a glass of warm water first thing in the morning after getting up.
• Practicing yoga on a daily basis.
• Performing abdomen massages.
• Consuming diluted apple cider vinegar.
• Adding a little cinnamon to warm water and having it after a meal.
• Having chamomile.
• Having baking soda as a natural antacid.
• Having aloe vera before having a meal.

By following these natural home remedies and making a change in your lifestyle one can definitely improve the symptoms related to hiatal hernia  and get cured at home.