Hiatus Hernia
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Hiatus Hernia
Hi all,
I was diagnosed with a sliding Hiatus Hernia around a year ago following an endoscopy. As a result, I was told I would need Proton Pump Inhibitors (Omeprazole) for the rest of my life, which I have since been taking every day.
Does anyone know if this problem will prevent me from obtaining a Class 1 medical?
I want to start flying lessons as its always been a dream, and I would like to work towards the commercial/fi licence eventually but if I'm going to fail at the first hurdle due to something I can't really change, I figure it best to find out now before paying over any hard earned cash
I was diagnosed with a sliding Hiatus Hernia around a year ago following an endoscopy. As a result, I was told I would need Proton Pump Inhibitors (Omeprazole) for the rest of my life, which I have since been taking every day.
Does anyone know if this problem will prevent me from obtaining a Class 1 medical?
I want to start flying lessons as its always been a dream, and I would like to work towards the commercial/fi licence eventually but if I'm going to fail at the first hurdle due to something I can't really change, I figure it best to find out now before paying over any hard earned cash
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I can give you my unqualified opinion; since I am not a doctor, but also a hernia sufferer. I hold a class one and was never disqualified on account of that.
These hernias are usually controlled with weight loss and by eating small quantitites of food four or six times a day. Some foods, such as orange juice, chocolate, spicy stuff, mint, tend to exacerbate the condition.
I believe it was explained to you that a sliding hernia means that part of the stomach goes up into the chest, through the normal opening in the diaphragm.
I am not so sure about the need for a lifetime usage of the medication.
Only an AME would be able to tell you whether a hiatus hernia would be disqualifying. You could check the various medical sites for FAA, CAA, Transport Canada, etc., for that condition.
Here is the Canadian one that could give you an idea, although I am not sure what country you reside in:
Civil Aviation Medicine
All the best
These hernias are usually controlled with weight loss and by eating small quantitites of food four or six times a day. Some foods, such as orange juice, chocolate, spicy stuff, mint, tend to exacerbate the condition.
I believe it was explained to you that a sliding hernia means that part of the stomach goes up into the chest, through the normal opening in the diaphragm.
I am not so sure about the need for a lifetime usage of the medication.
Only an AME would be able to tell you whether a hiatus hernia would be disqualifying. You could check the various medical sites for FAA, CAA, Transport Canada, etc., for that condition.
Here is the Canadian one that could give you an idea, although I am not sure what country you reside in:
Civil Aviation Medicine
All the best
Psychophysiological entity
Many moons ago was talking to the then head of aviation medicine, A.V.M. Cook, and we discussed my hiatus hernia. He said that he had one too and that it only gave him trouble "When I get fat".
Don't take any drugs that you don't have to, and try to find out just why they think you need these.
Don't take any drugs that you don't have to, and try to find out just why they think you need these.
A bit of your stomach is being forced through your diaphram, ( the flat muscle at the bottom of your ribs.)
It's a bit like overpumping your bike tyre up, and finding a bit of the inner tube pops out where it shouldn't.
Taking a PPI, is a bit like sticking a patch on the inner tube.
Far better to reduce the pressure (usually by losing weight). Exercise seems to help some.
Other measures include those mentioned in the proton pump thread, avoid stooping,and take care after eating.
If any body points you in the direction of a surgeon before you try any of these measures, run a mile.(In the other direction.)
I think the boys in the green gowns try and take a telescopic view of things these days, but if it were me, I'd try the above first.
Can't think of any reason why you shouldn't pass a medical.
It's a bit like overpumping your bike tyre up, and finding a bit of the inner tube pops out where it shouldn't.
Taking a PPI, is a bit like sticking a patch on the inner tube.
Far better to reduce the pressure (usually by losing weight). Exercise seems to help some.
Other measures include those mentioned in the proton pump thread, avoid stooping,and take care after eating.
If any body points you in the direction of a surgeon before you try any of these measures, run a mile.(In the other direction.)
I think the boys in the green gowns try and take a telescopic view of things these days, but if it were me, I'd try the above first.
Can't think of any reason why you shouldn't pass a medical.
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Ok thanks guys, thats some good info and excellent news that it shouldn't prevent me passing the medical
I could probably do with losing a stone in weight, though I'm not exactly fat. Bit of a bummer to have at my age (29) but I guess it could be a lot worse.
Anyway, thanks again guys at least now I can go for it without worrying about an instant fail
I could probably do with losing a stone in weight, though I'm not exactly fat. Bit of a bummer to have at my age (29) but I guess it could be a lot worse.
Anyway, thanks again guys at least now I can go for it without worrying about an instant fail
