Hiatal Hernias
There are a number of things that can cause acid reflux. Tight clothes, certain foods, and late eating times can all contribute to heartburn. However, there are some actual physical ailments that one can develop which can lead to acid reflux. One such problem is called a hiatal hernia.
A hiatal hernia forms when part of the stomach bulges up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. There is already a hole in the diaphragm, called a hiatus, to allow the esophagus to connect to the stomach, but if the muscles around this hole weaken, the stomach can poke up through the opening.
There are three different variations of a hiatal hernia, depending on how much of the stomach bulges through the hiatus. The three types are called:
- Sliding hiatal hernia
- Paraesophageal hiatal hernia
- Mixed hiatal hernia
Sometimes, with sliding and mixed hiatal hernias, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) moves up above the diaphragm. The LES is in charge of keeping stomach acid from flowing up from the stomach and into the diaphragm, which causes heartburn. When it moves up through the hiatus, it can lose its ability to keep your stomach acid in your stomach.
Problems like hiatal hernias can contribute to chronic acid reflux, which doctors may choose to treat with medication such as Reglan. However, Reglan’s active ingredient, metoclopramide, has been linked to problems such as tardive dyskinesia. This is a permanent muscle spasm disorder.
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Reglan and metoclopramide can cause lifelong disabilities such as tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Dealing with these disorders can be financially exhausting, so if you or someone you know has developed any of these as a result of taking Reglan, you should speak to an attorney about possible financial compensation.
For more information, contact a Houston Reglan lawyer at the firm of Williams Kherkher today at 800-761-3187.
