Hiatal hernia

Definition

Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the sheet of muscle used in breathing that separates the chest from the abdomen.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause is unknown, but hiatal hernias may be the result of a weakening of the supporting tissue. Increasing age, obesity, and smoking are known risk factors in adults.

Children with this condition usually have it from birth (congenital). It is usually associated with gastroesophageal reflux in infants.

Hiatal hernias are very common, especially in people over 50 years old. This condition may cause regurgitation of gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

Symptoms

• Heartburn, worse when bending over or lying down
• Swallowing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Belching

A hiatal hernia by itself rarely causes symptoms -- pain and discomfort are usually due to the reflux of gastric acid, air, or bile. This happens more easily in the presence of hiatal hernia.

Signs and tests

• Barium swallow x-ray
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Reducing regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux) will relieve pain symptoms. Medications that neutralize stomach acidity, decrease acid production, or strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter may be prescribed.

Other measures to reduce symptoms include:

• Avoiding large or heavy meals
• Not lying down or bending over immediately after a meal
• Weight reduction and smoking cessation

Failure to control the symptoms by general or medical measures, or the onset of complications may require surgical repair of the hernia.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most symptoms are alleviated with treatment.

Complications

• Slow bleeding and iron deficiency anemia (due to a large hernia)
• Pulmonary (lung) aspiration
• Strangulation (closing off) of the hernia

Calling your health care provider

Call your provider if symptoms indicate you may have developed a hiatal hernia.

Call your provider if you have a hiatal hernia and symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.

Prevention

Controlling risk factors like obesity may play a preventative role.

Illustrations

Hiatal hernia - X-ray

Hiatal hernia

Hiatal hernia repair- series

Page Content:

Hernia - hiatal ; hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia symptom; hiatal hernia surgery; hiatal hernia diet; hiatal hernia treatment; hiatal hernia picture; hiatal hernia repair; sliding hiatal hernia; sign and symptom of hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia cause; paraesophageal hiatal hernia; esophagus hernia hiatal symptom; hiatal hernia pain; condition hernia hiatal more symptom; hiatal hernia shortness of breath; medical symptom of hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia cure; exercise for hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia natural remedy; gerd and hiatal hernia; chest pain hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia and back pain; natural cure for hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia photo; information on hiatal hernia; strangulated hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia complication; esophagus hernia hiatal surgery; hiatal hernia remedy; food to avoid for hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia food; hiatal hernia repair surgery; hiatal hernia distal esophagus; sliding hiatal hernia symptom; diaphragm hernia hiatal surgery; hiatal hernia with pregnancy; hiatal hernia medication; hiatal hernia in child; chiropractor and hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia diagram; natural treatment for hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia acid reflux; large hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia operation; small hiatal hernia; hernia hiatal en español; hernia hiatal stomach surgery; hiatal hernia diagnosis; para esophageal hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia relief; hernia hiatal sintomas