| From: john schweinfurth To: VOCALIST <vocalist> Subject: Re: Singer with Hiatal Hernia Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>
On Fri, 17 Dec 1999 09:04:47 -0500, VOCALIST wrote:
> Hello Again! > > The producer of our successful local opera company has a hiatal hernia which she has self-managed for some time. It, and accompanying acid reflux disease, have become so painful that she has difficulty singing. She has been advised to have surgery and is concerned about possible effect on her ability to sing. > > 2. Would a medical professional care to comment on the different procedures > and any effect on her ability to sing? > Laura Sharp
Laura,
She should not consider surgery until she has had MAXIMAL medical therapy. Among the things she should consider, priolosec or prevacid for a minimum of 6 weeks, dietary changes (no sugars or simple starches, no fried or fatty foods, no caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol, etc.) no eating within 3 hours of bedtime, raise the head of the bed up on blocks or phone books (if she lives in a large city), drinking >64 oz water a day.
The ideal surgery is a laparoscopic (surgery done with endoscopes through VERY small incisions) Nissen fundoplication which wraps the top of the stomach around the esophagus to 'tighten' up the 'valve' between the two.
It's extremely rare to have to go straight to surgery before trying non-surgical therapy.
Hope this helps.
John M. Schweinfurth, MD Laryngology and Professional Voice Care Assistant Professor Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN (615) 322-6180
_______________________________________________________ Visit Excite Shopping at http://shopping.excite.com The fastest way to find your Holiday gift this season
| |