Para esophageal Hernial

[jigtime]

I have been diagnosed with a Para esophageal hiatus hernia. Of the two hiatus hernias it can be the most serious. My GP has advised me not to row because rowing increases the interabdominal pressure which pushes the esophagus through thediaphram into the chest cavity.

Dies anyone have any experience with ERGing with a para esophageal hiatus hernia? I do not want to stop erging,

Allan

[heroesfitness]

If you have been advised not to do it then do not, your health is far more important, are you having it repaired soon ??? If so wait until it has been dealt with then get some professional advice after that

[jigtime]

Repairing a paraesophageal or sliding hernia is done as a last resort, according to my physician. And they're not always successful and take a long time to recover from.

I've been a type 1 diabetic for well over 40 years and have used exercise is an important factor in staving off the effects of living with diabetes for over four decades. Back problems make running impossible (which is probably the cause) and cycling difficult so the Concept 2 really was the ideal machine for me, or so I thought.

[dustin]

Jigtime,

While what your physician told you is true about the treatment of such hernias, I question the thinking behind the advice to stop rowing. Let me start by saying I, myself, am a vascular surgeon (I had to do general surgery for 5 years prior to specializing). I have repaired esophageal hernias as well. Many of these are asymptomatic and can be observed safely; if you have any symptoms, these should be repaired. Another aside is a concern for undiagnosed reflux. I am not affiliated with this medical school, but they did a thoughtful review:

http://www.mcw.edu/generalsurgery/patie ... Hernia.htm

The recommendation to avoid any increases in abdominal pressure is strange to me - not to be vulgar, but have you ever noticed an increase in abdominal pressure with, let's say, a bowel movement?? I mean, how do you avoid such things? Don't live in fear of the hernia - be safe and smart. If symptoms develop - get it fixed by someone that can do it skillfully with laparoscopy - the results are excellent.

Good luck and enjoy rowing. I would argue (given that I see the ravages of diabetes daily) that doing whatever you can to keep your diabetes in check should trump the concern for the hernia.

regards,

dustin

[jigtime]

Quite by chance, before I read your post, I met my sports physician who looked after me during my running days. Over a beer I asked him the same question and got a similar answer to your's. The only difference was his response was salted with a few explicatives.

Thanks very much I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. It's good to get back on the erg.

Allan

[dustin]

Allan,

Not to worry - in forums I keep the obscenities in check. In the OR, well, now, that is another matter . . .

Dustin