Exercise with a Hiatal Hernia

[pjb923]

My wife was recently diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia. She started taking Prevacid, and the symptoms seem like they are slowly getting better. She has been out of the gym for almost 2 months while the doctors were trying to figure out what was wrong with her. Now she is very reluctant to go back to the gym in fear of making things worse.

I understand that she should avoid lifting heavy weight, and pretty much anything that can increase intraabdominal pressure.

My question is, what type of exercise is safe for someone with a hiatal hernia? I think low intensity cardio should be ok. Does anyone know of specific movements that are recommended for someone with this condition?

[Blackjack]

I can't really tell you what's recommended. However, I was diagnosed with the same condition about 1.5-years ago so I can speak from experience. I have not changed my workout since I've had this condition. I lift heavy and have not avoided any exercises abdominal or otherwise. And it hasn't had any adverse effects. I kept the pain under control with Prevacid. Then when it returned, I took a 14-day cycle of Prilosec and that has worked as well and you don't need a prescription.

Did the doctor tell your wife not to do any heavy weights? I'm curious as to how you came across that recommendation.

Let me know if you have any other questions. As I said, my doctor never said anything about backing off the weights. Most recommendations were diet related.

Ted

[pjb923]

Thanks for the response. The doctor did not really say anything about weighth training. But everything I read about hiatal hernias says they are caused by and/or aggrevated by heavy lifting.
One example is this statement from InteliHealth:

To prevent hernias associated with increased abdominal pressure, avoid activities that cause abdominal strain, especially heavy lifting.

The last time she worked out it seemed to make her symptoms worse, so she's kind of nervous about getting back into her normal routine. I think she will be ok, if she gives the Prevacid a little more time to work and starts out slow.

[bryanc]

Originally Posted by pjb923

Thanks for the response. The doctor did not really say anything about weighth training. But everything I read about hiatal hernias says they are caused by and/or aggrevated by heavy lifting.
One example is this statement from InteliHealth:


The last time she worked out it seemed to make her symptoms worse, so she's kind of nervous about getting back into her normal routine. I think she will be ok, if she gives the Prevacid a little more time to work and starts out slow.

The hernias InteliHealth are talking about are likely of the inguinal or femoral type. Hiatal hernias are a bit of a different animal, since it involves the stomach sliding through the diaphragm. Whether your wife can do weights or things that involve increased abdominal pressure depends largely on the specifics of her hiatal hernia.

[Blackjack]

Yeah, this is a stomach issue. The hernia you might be reading about are intestinal hernias extending through the abdominal wall. Those are caused by heavy lifting and can be made worse with weights.

That's not what she has if she has a hiatal hernia and is taking Prevacid. Bryan has it right...