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Does Smoking Cause Hiatal Hernia?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2015
Question: Is smoking a direct cause if hiatal hernia or us it just a contributing factor? I'm pretty young and fit and I've been having problems with Gerd and other symptoms of it for year. It only started 2 years ago with pain when belching, popping in my chest, and random hiccups. About a year later I would feel pressure in my chest when working and random shifting in my stomach. I honestly think it has to do with work at ups. Looking down to read labels, leaning to lift, jerking heavy boxes to sort. These last couple weeks it's turned into Gerd and difficulty swallowing. I can push the upper left part of my diaphragm a feel the ulcer shift. I haven't been smoking long and I've never met a smoker with these problems yet. By the way I'm 511 ft. 150 ibs. What would you gather from those symptoms?
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Smoking might contribute but not a direct cause!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about your symptoms. I have reviewed your information fully and it is suggestive of acid reflux. If you have not been diagnosed with hiatal hernia, then am not sure that these symptoms are suggestive of hiatal hernia. The diagnosis of hiatal hernia is made through an endoscopic exam. Though hiatla hernia often presents with symptoms of acid reflux, it is only confirmed when this defect is visualized. For now, I will like to say it is suggestive if acid reflux and not specify hiatal hernia s it is not confirmed.

Your medications are not adapted. Ibuprofen and Azantac do exactly the opposite jobs. Ibuprofen causes and aggravates ulcers while Azanatac tries to heal ulcers. I will recommend that you stop taking Ibuprofen. Continue with azantac and if you need a pain medication, go ahead and take tylenol but not ibuprofen.

Smoking aggravates acid reflux symptoms by increasing acid production. Smoking is bad for health and I strongly recommend that you stop smoking. It has not even a single benefit to your health.

Lifting heavy weights can contribute in causing hiatal hernia. It is recommended not to lift more than 23kg at a go. Make sure you respect that and if your employers do not abide by this, it is violation of the labor rules. You shouldn’t be lighting heavy packages as they seriously damage health.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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Does Smoking Cause Hiatal Hernia?

Brief Answer: Smoking might contribute but not a direct cause! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about your symptoms. I have reviewed your information fully and it is suggestive of acid reflux. If you have not been diagnosed with hiatal hernia, then am not sure that these symptoms are suggestive of hiatal hernia. The diagnosis of hiatal hernia is made through an endoscopic exam. Though hiatla hernia often presents with symptoms of acid reflux, it is only confirmed when this defect is visualized. For now, I will like to say it is suggestive if acid reflux and not specify hiatal hernia s it is not confirmed. Your medications are not adapted. Ibuprofen and Azantac do exactly the opposite jobs. Ibuprofen causes and aggravates ulcers while Azanatac tries to heal ulcers. I will recommend that you stop taking Ibuprofen. Continue with azantac and if you need a pain medication, go ahead and take tylenol but not ibuprofen. Smoking aggravates acid reflux symptoms by increasing acid production. Smoking is bad for health and I strongly recommend that you stop smoking. It has not even a single benefit to your health. Lifting heavy weights can contribute in causing hiatal hernia. It is recommended not to lift more than 23kg at a go. Make sure you respect that and if your employers do not abide by this, it is violation of the labor rules. You shouldn’t be lighting heavy packages as they seriously damage health. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.