Why is it that just about everybody knows that the little purple pill, Nexium is for acid reflux? A large number of Americans over age 40 have or are experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux and are very uncomfortable with it. Additionally, advertising is alluding to long-term damage from the erosion of the esophagus due to acid reflux. As a result, clients’ awareness and fears of acid reflux and hiatal hernias are expanding. It is unfortunate that most people suffering with the malady do not know that there are effective soft tissue treatments that can eliminate the symptoms without drugs, or any other invasive medical procedure.

What are the conditions that trigger these symptoms? Medical diagnoses include: Protrusion of the stomach upward through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm. (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary), the esophageal hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm for the passage of the esophagus and the vagus nerves (Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary), sliding hiatus hernia the gastroesophageal junction and a portion of the stomach are above the diaphragm, (The Merck Manual, 16th edition).

Another form of hiatal hernia is a tearing in the diaphragm that allows a portion of the stomach to protrude through the tear. There can also be damage to the esophageal hiatus where the esophagus empties into the stomach. When the esophageal hiatus is damaged the sphincter valve at the top of the stomach cannot function properly, and the contents from the stomach can then backflow up the esophagus (acid reflux), especially when a client is prone or supine or has a full actively digesting stomach. Acid reflux can occur even when there is no significant damage to the esophageal hiatus. This can be due to overactive digestion taking place in the stomach, overeating, or the presence of excess stomach acid.