Hi Kevin,
Unless the hernia is causing serious problems, it is not usually treated. The symptoms, when they occur, include: chest or upper abdominal pain, coughing, belching, hiccups and heartburn. You are lucky if belching is your only symptom! There's more discomfort in people with both hiatal hernia and GERD. HH contributes to weakening of the sphincter muscle.
What you can do to help yourself: minimize heavy lifting, exercise and lose weight, use better posture (do not slouch!), sleep on an incline- raise your mattress a bit, and stand or walk after a meal instead of sitting down and resting. Also, avoid caffeine, chocolate, fried and fat foods, too much alcohol. Do not eat large meals, have more smaller ones instead. And, lastly, do not eat for at least two hours before bedtime. You can buy OTC antacids for acute attacks, such as Maalox, Gaviscon, Mylanta and Tums. Your doctor can give you a script for something stronger if needed.
A lot of people don't even know they have hiatal hernia. It is not such a big deal. Surgery is done only in extreme cases. I hope yours does not bother you too much!
Good luck,
flowergirl
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