What Causes Abdominal Bloating And Gas When Diagnosed With GERD And Hiatus Hernia?

Posted on Wed, 30 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 Answered on

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have not been feeling well for about a month and I was diagnosed years ago with hiatal hernia and gerd. I've been back on Prilosec for a month due to stress and not eating right. I just had an abdominal ultrasound this morning and everything looks good,gallblater,liver,pancreas and kidneys. Can't see the stomach and diaphram on ultrasound, but very bloated and swollen and having a hard time breathing. They saw a lot of gas during the ultrasound. Can I take gas x. I need some relief, my bra is extremely tight and I've even added a bra extender and it still rolls up my back, I think the yogurt I ate yesterday did not help the situation. I'm also a restaurant server and having a hard time working cause I can't breathe, please help

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Gas x can be taken at recommended dose and please take meals on time

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. An ultrasound abdomen is unable to evaluate the inside of the stomach and the diaphragm. Therefore any progress of the hiatal hernia or the GERD has not been evaluated. Having stress and unable to eat proper meals can cause increase in symptoms of GERD and hiatus hernia.

2. There are special investigations to look for GERD and hiatus hernia like barium studies using x ray and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and it is important that you talk to your doctor and get a work up done for GERD and hiatus hernia. You can also try controlling your stress level and have a normal eating pattern.

3. You can take Gas x medicine to control your symptoms. It is given at a recommended dose not to exceed 500 mg in 24 hours. Prilosec is to be taken the way it has been recommended.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

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