A combination of Nexium and yoga may help patients with hiatal hernias and GERD

A new study by researchers at the New Jersey Medical School found that doing yoga in combination with taking Nexium or another proton pump inhibitor (PPI) improved GERD symptoms for patients with severe GERD due to hiatal hernias.

The study, published in the June 2013 edition of the International Journal of Yoga, is important because it looked at patients whose GERD was initially resistant to the use of PPIs, which work by reducing the amount of stomach acid in produce by the glands in the stomach.

Hiatal hernias are caused when part of the stomach bulges into the diaphragm. Though they are often symptomless and harmless, when hiatal hernias are large enough, they allow acid into the esophagus, producing the often severe symptoms of GERD. The present study found that both the Kapalbhati and Agnisar kriya types of yoga were beneficial.

Kapalbhati and Agnisar kriya
These variations of yoga involve deep breathing and focus on posture and relaxed abdominal muscles. Adherents claim that these types of yoga improve sinus issues, increase blood circulation, expel infectious materials and allergens from the body, make the diaphragm more flexible and have various other important health benefits. 

Limitations
Though the study's results are promising, they are limited because they represent a case study - only one older male patient. Additionally, many times GERD is brought on by stress and a combination of other factors. Yoga and other deep breathing exercises have been shown to reduce stress. Additionally, the practice of yoga could possibly make one more health conscious and more likely to avoid smoking or consuming foods that make acid reflux worse.

Also, though these researchers generalize from one case study that yoga is beneficial in treating GERD symptoms, many others claim that many yoga practices - particularly those that put pressure on the stomach through bending forward or standing, are physically strenuous or involve full inversion of the body like headstands - can exacerbate symptoms of GERD.

If someone is suffering from GERD, a doctor can prescribe a PPI like Nexium to reduce the acid in the stomach and allow one's esophagus to heal. It's always best to consult with a doctor before trying complementary treatments. PPIs can be expensive, but those with a Nexium prescription can purchase it from an online pharmacy to save money.