hikerjim, Many of us, including me, have suffered afib connected to the GERD, Hernia, Loose Lower Esophagus Spinctur (LES) route. Here is a post from Jackie in 2004 that will enlighten you. Dean Jackie Acid Reflux, GERD, Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerve Imbalance March 18, 2004 06:24AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 18,873 Once in a while researching out there in Cyberspace, I stumblby Dean - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie There was also a post Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerve Impingement...by Steve Rochlitz, PhD. that offers the potential for an irritated Vagus from hiatal hernia. I bought a number of Steve Rochlitz's books from reading a post by Jackie. I was interested specifically in the vagus nerve info. Because my afib is very well controlled & I have a lot of higher priorities inby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes... there definitely can be a connection. These posts address some of the potential areas. There was also a post Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerve Impingement...by Steve Rochlitz, PhD. that offers the potential for an irritated Vagus from hiatal hernia. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Regarding GERD and stomach acid etc., in this post reference, you will note links I offered in previous posts on this topic that help explain how stomach and digestive issues can be connected to cardiac problems including arrhythmias… Jackie [ PM ] Re: ectopics and indigestion August 07, 2014 Also the following is an excerpt from a report published in Townsend Letter by Steve Rochlby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
woofbum- In addition to the many related responses to your initial post on the heart/stomach connection, you can check these archived posts on the topic as it relates to the vagus nerve. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Pompon - there is definitely a connection between 'gut' issues and the promotion or stimulation of AF for some individuals. Check this report from long ago on by Professor Steve Rochlitz about vagus nerve imbalance and hiatal hernia influence. It's a long collection of relevant observations, but in practice, it does work so read through to learn all you can. Dr. Rochlitzby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Billy - I have great empathy for you. You probably read Dean's recent post and the other contributions at this link: The medical focus should be directed by a specialist who can assess and address the gastric reflux caused by the failed lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and hiatal hernia which impacts the vagus nerve. I understand your limitations with health care serviceby Billyjeans - AFIBBERS FORUM
Billy - I have great empathy for you. You probably read Dean's recent post and the other contributions at this link: The medical focus should be directed by a specialist who can assess and address the gastric reflux caused by the failed lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and hiatal hernia which impacts the vagus nerve. I understand your limitations with health care services availableby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting, George. In the archived posts, there should be a post on the Vagus and Hiatal Hernia by Steve Rochlitz, PhD. If you can't find it, let me know. I have should have it on file. It makes sense because of the impingement on the vagus - where pressure could pinch the vagus and start some heart activity. Here's one link. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Steve – Sorry to read you are still plagued by this. As you mention, the Hiatal hernia is undoubtedly contributing. Back in 2003, Steve Rochlitz, PhD wrote a report on Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerve involvement and also a book on that topic. In fact, last year, I recommended that source to you in response to your post back then. You can probably find it in Google search… but the followingby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kevin - What you describe is typical of vagus nerve impingement in the area of the diaphragm. When that area becomes "scrunched" because of posture in combination with fat accumulation in that area the vagus nerve is affected. Often if it is already irritated, it will be virtually an instant trigger for AF. I learned this connection after receiving chiropractic manipulations for diby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Steve - I tried to find online the report I referenced in a 2003 post on Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerve Impingement...by Steve Rochlitz, PhD. I found a few links that you may want to follow but not the entire report...although I didn't have much time to search more. However, did find my post from back then and I've included it here. Read for generalities that might relate to youby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Welcome Herb - I’m glad you are pleased with your ablation and care. Esophageal damage isn’t all that common as your staff has assured you… but you can have mild discomfort and it will diminish more each day. You mention the hiatal hernia and GERD complication. You can definitely help yourself with better digestion. Typically GERD is the result of not producing enough natural stomach acid tby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carole - There is a definite connection to hiatal hernia and diaphragm displacement conditions in that most always, the vagus nerve (Tenth Cranial Nerve) can become pinched or impinged which is excitatory. Since the vagus also enervates the heart, it's a logical association. Here's the link to a post from 11 years ago on the topic of Acid Reflux, GERD, Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerveby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Eric - here's a previous post on the vagus nerve topic... FYI - maybe something useful to which you can relate your situation... Discussions about postural and positional triggers of arrhythmia must include the vagus nerve and the GI is definitely involved. Numerous factors influence vagus nerve irritation. One consideration is to address your posture and sitting habits and the impacby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John - Some hiatal hernias can be managed with manipulations and if you can find a skilled, knowledgeable practitioner, it makes sense to try that as hiatal hernias affect the vagus nerve which can definitely adversely affect the heart. This link to a report on the Vagus Nerve by Steve Rochlitz, PhD is worth noting. Also: The Gut Connection to Afib report is at this link: Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ralph – Discussions about postural and positional triggers of arrhythmia must include the vagus nerve and the GI is definitely involved. Numerous factors influence vagus nerve irritation. One consideration is to address your posture and sitting habits and the impact of sitting for hours at a time - as many do - working at a computer station…or your home desk or sitting scrunched on the coby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ralph - During the years of my afib challenge, I had similar postural triggers... bending over was commonly a trigger. I have written about my chiropractic treatment for what Dr. Jordon, D.C. called a displaced diaphragm... meaning the stomach was pushing up and encroaching on the diaphragm space and that in turn, then crowded the heart area and releasing pressure on the Vagus Nerve. His treatby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
When looking for a solution to GERD or other gastric disturbances, it's important to consider all the potential causes... This report was contributed here in 2004...... still useful to read if you haven't figured out a solution to your GERD problems... Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder: a leading cause of allergies & chronic illness by Steve Rochlitz, PhD. CR Session 63 iby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Eddie - The classic article by Steve Rochlitz on the Vagus Nerve and Hiatal Hernia may be of interest to you. Be aware also that magnesium deficiency inside heart cells contributes. If you deplete magnesium (and potassium) through extensive, prolonged exercise, the body has a difficult time restoring electrolyte/mineral levels without heroics and may take days, weeks or months to replete. Someby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ed - yes, definitely posture can contribute. Scrunching the midsection impinges the vagus nerve. When I was an active afibber and golfer, just bending over from the waist to put a tee in the ground was often a trigger. The holistic chiropractor I was seeing at the time did an adjustment in the stomach/diaphragm area and I went from daily or every other day events to zero after about five treatmby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Heather - if the water was ice cold, that could be a trigger. As for the hiatal hernia, read this article by Steve Rochlitz, PhD.... his information was presented here years ago as it related to the vagus nerve and hiatal hernia. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Check out this clip by Steve Rochlitz, PhD...the hiatal hernia expert.... The Lower Esophageal Sphincter, or Schatzki's Ring As detailed in my earlier article, the Hiatal Hernia Syndrome can (eventually) cause serious illness including respiratory and cardiac symptoms, and appears to be present in most sufferers of food and chemical allergies. (2) But some of these complaints may be causedby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - I think probiotics are a must for just about everyone afibber or not; even infants and children benefit and especially the elderly. There is just so much benefit to keeping the levels of healthy bowel flora elevated. Ive used them for many years and while Im not sure that it helped my afib, I know it didnt hurt to take them. The comments in CR #63 in the probiotic section are usefuby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Darcy - yes... he digs in pulls and pushes directionally while directing me to breathe or hold breath. It's a standard chiropractic maneuver which pulls down the displaced diaphragm (muscle) ..... in the hope that a hiatal hernia can be either prevented or reversed. There is a paper on this by PhD researcher Steve Rochlitz titled Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder: a leading cause of allby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi David! the physical condition of the hiatal hernia trumps the contraindication of PPI use simply because its dangerous to let undigested food and stomach acid continually seep into the esophagus where it burns tissue and promotes ulcerated tissue and cancerous lesions. Thats a no brainer. However, its a double-edged sword because while use of the PPIs prevents the reflux, you still haveby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
You may find something in the following articles by Dr. Rochlitz that makes the connection for you. The connection between the vagus nerve, the diaphragm, stomach and heart is worth investigating. A missing link to chronic illness, allergies and longevity? Vagus Nerve Imbalance/Hiatal Hernia Syndrome Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients , August-Sept, 2003 by Steve Rochlitz Hiatal Herby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Rick - If you look at the link that shows the path of the vagus nerve it becomes understandable how an irritation of the vagus can be associated with afib. I not only had "some" improvement with diaphragm adjustment, I had complete resolution of daily afib that was lasting often over 24 hours with sometimes only 4 hours NSR and than back into AF again. Once I began the diaphragm adjusby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bill - as you know, the stomach is one phase of the digestive/metabolism process with the small intestine, the other phase. And actually, the first phase begins in the mouth where adequate and thorough chewing is essential. There are tests to determine if food is being adequately broken down by the required enzymatic action on foods into usable nutrient molecules. One is a comprehensiveby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
In another post, I cited two articles regarding the vagus nerve by Steve Rochlitz and how GERD and digestive issues can play a part in arrhythmia. Re-reading the most recent, I thought it was worth calling out in a separate post. This excerpt is especially of interest. Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder: a leading cause of allergies & chronic illness - Letters to the Editor Quote:by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM