My hiatal hernia and Barrett's

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

A little over a year ago I wrote in another of my blogs: "What causes the esophageal extremity of the stomach to enter the thoracic cavity and produce the picture known as hiatus hernia, is something that is not clear. There is a weakness of the walls of the diaphragm. The punctual fact is that my stomach, at least a part, is visiting the area destined for the lungs and heart.

Consequences, annoyances, although in my case not very notorious. I know people who say "suffer" from hiatus hernia. They have severe pain and difficulty digesting. Not abundant and frequent foods, very healthy foods and easily digestible, are some of the recommendations. I read that there are exercises and massages but I did not think they could be effective. I have not practiced them. None of this I have done. Normal life, good lunches and as it corresponds to a chronic stressed, "swallowing as if they were chasing me."

In a few days I will know how my hiatal hernia is 3 cms. "And also appeared the friend Barrett:" This is a new topic for me. I was diagnosed at the beginning of 2008 with the esophageal probe method (not very nice) that if I allowed the interesting experience of "a trip to my interior", when visualizing in the monitor the route of the tip of the probe, with A chamber in its anterior part, the interior of "my" esophagus, its lower part with eroded walls, as with scratches and a different structure (this was seen by the specialist, not me).

By the way the so-called Barrett's esophagus (I'm going to find out who it is or was) is precisely the modification of the more superficial walls of the esophagus (epithelium and endothelium) that adopt a structural similarity with the walls of the small intestine. This is due to the continuous aggression of the acid of the stomach when refluxing towards the esophagus by the nonclosure of the sphincter (cardias). This situation must be controlled because, in addition to causing minor annoyances, there is the risk of becoming cancer, which begins by decreasing and occluding the lumen of the esophagus.

The wonders of science, the specialist told me that the essential thing is to neutralize gastric acid, which with a small amount acts efficiently in digestion. Are you somehow telling me that I make more acid than I need (another gift of my stress?). "

20 days ago I did a new fibrogastroscopy, yesterday June 10, 2009 I got the results of the biopsies and I talked to the specialist that made me the "fibro". The hiatal hernia DISAPPEARED and the modified tissues of the wall of the esophagus are NOT ALREADY. There are only a few scars from previous erosions. By way of information only I tell you my treatment. To control gastric acidity, Lansoprazole 30 mg. Per day and to control anxiety, stress or whatever, chamomile or valerian teas. Also some cares at meals. Finally a radical change in the face of life and its problems, more realistic and with less worries.

Today, many months later, I use sporadically the acidity controller. With a highly controlled stress, a reasonable and some more care, I can say that the control is good, although not complete.