Most people with a hiatal hernia are told to manage symptoms. But a hiatal hernia can get worse - and it doesn't have to be getting larger. Functional worsening can happen even when your scan looks the same.

➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/
Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth Available

In this video, I'm walking you through 5 specific signs that your sliding hiatal hernia is progressing functionally, not just flaring. If you recognize three or more of these, it's time to address the root cause.

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🔍 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
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→ Why symptoms moving to your throat or voice is a warning sign
→ What difficulty swallowing actually means at the tissue level
→ Why position-dependent symptoms signal functional instability
→ Why your medication working less is a structural signal, not a dosing problem
→ What it means when symptoms happen without eating at all

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📺 RELATED VIDEOS
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▶️ Hiatal Hernia Attack Feels Like This: https://youtu.be/zVzSVNyDLkY
▶️ Why Bloating Triggers Heart Palpitations: https://youtu.be/PZvcShFPy3k
▶️ GERD, Silent Reflux, or Hiatal Hernia - What's Actually Causing Your Symptoms?: https://youtu.be/MNA8lNkJuEI

👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Vikki Petersen:

Dr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience specializing in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and the root causes of digestive symptoms. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic, offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.

🌐 Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth Available Nationwide

⚕️Medical Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with any questions about your health. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.

#hiatalhernia #gerd #acidreflux #functionalmedicine

Struggling with hiatal hernia and not getting real answers? Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/ Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth Available

If you've been told surgery is your only option — or that you'll be on PPIs forever — there are some things you need to know first.

In this video, Dr. Vikki Petersen breaks down 5 of the most common hiatal hernia myths and sets the record straight with research-backed facts.

THE 5 HIATAL HERNIA MYTHS:

❌ MYTH #1: Surgery is a permanent fix Nearly 1 in 4 patients require PPI medication again within a few years. Up to 50% experience complications including difficulty swallowing, bloating, and inability to burp or vomit.

❌ MYTH #2: PPIs are safe to take long-term PPIs are only approved for 2 weeks at a time. Long-term use is linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, dementia, stomach cancer, and a weakened microbiome.

❌ MYTH #3: Acid reflux always causes heartburn 50% of reflux is completely silent. It may show up as chronic cough, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing — and some reflux is caused by too little acid or bile, making PPIs completely ineffective.

❌ MYTH #4: Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis Endoscopy misses the most common type of hiatal hernia nearly 48% of the time. Manometry and impedance pH monitoring are far more accurate — but rarely used.

❌ MYTH #5: You have to be overweight to have hiatal hernia Weight alone isn't the issue — visceral fat is. A person can be a normal weight and still have dangerous levels of visceral fat driving abdominal pressure and symptoms.

ABOUT DR. VIKKI:

Dr. Vikki Petersen is a functional medicine doctor and founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic. She specializes in gut health, digestive disorders, and identifying the root cause of chronic symptoms rather than managing them indefinitely with medication.

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Disclaimer: Educational content reviewed by licensed medical staff. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or heard here. The information shared reflects clinical experience and current scientific research at the time of publication. Individual results may vary, and no guarantees of specific outcomes are made. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

#HiatalHernia #HiatalHerniaMyths #PPIRisks #AcidReflux #FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedical #DrVikkiPetersen #GutHealth #RefluxRelief #DigestiveHealth #HiatalHerniaSyndrome #SilentReflux

Struggling with acid reflux, bloating, or unexplained symptoms?

Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/
Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth Available

If you’re dealing with multiple symptoms like heartburn, shortness of breath, or palpitations and not getting clear answers, you’re not alone. These issues are often treated separately—but may actually share the same root cause.

In this episode, Dr. Vikki Petersen explains the 4 major symptoms of hiatal hernia syndrome and why they occur.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- The 4 key symptoms of hiatal hernia and how they’re connected
- How mechanical changes in the diaphragm and stomach lead to reflux and bloating
- The role of the vagus nerve in symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath
- How inflammation and gut imbalances contribute to worsening symptoms
- Practical ways to begin addressing the root cause through diet, lifestyle, and testing

ABOUT DR. VIKKI:

Dr. Vikki Petersen is a functional medicine doctor and founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic. She specializes in gut health, autoimmune conditions, and identifying the root cause of chronic symptoms.

Disclaimer: Educational content reviewed by licensed medical staff. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or heard here. The information shared reflects clinical experience and current scientific research at the time of publication. Individual results may vary, and no guarantees of specific outcomes are made. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

#FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedical #DrVikkiPetersen #GutHealth #HiatalHernia #AcidReflux #Bloating