Treatments

Disorders of the Diaphragm Treatments

Treatments for disorders of the diaphragm vary depending on the type of disorder, but they can include a variety of surgical options. Treatments for each type of disorder include:

• Congenital (present at birth) diaphragmatic hernia (CDH):
  • Emergency surgery to place the abdominal organs back in the abdomen and repair the diaphragm
• Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (ADH):
  • Emergency surgery to repair the diaphragm
• Hiatal hernia: 
  • Lifestyle changes, including avoiding certain foods, losing weight, raising the head of the bed and avoiding tight-fitting clothes
  • Medications, including antacids and proton pump inhibitors
  • Surgery to retract the stomach and make the opening in your diaphragm smaller, reconstruct the esophageal sphincter or remove the hernia
• Diaphragmatic tumor:
  • Surgical resection (removal)
  • Chemotherapy or radiation therapy, if it is cancerous
• Paralysis of the diaphragm:
  • Watchful waiting, if symptoms are not severe
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Surgically implanted diaphragmatic pacemaker
  • Tracheostomy and mechanical ventilator