Hiatal hernias occur when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest, with two types: sliding and paraesophageal. Symptoms include heartburn, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Diagnosis is through radiograph or endoscopy, with surgery for paraesophageal hernias and medication for sliding hernias. After surgery, patients can usually resume normal activity within a week.
A hiatal hernia is one that occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest. This type of hernia occurs in about fifteen percent of the population. Of those people, very few experience symptoms. Hiatus hernias are more common in overweight people, especially women, and people in their fifties and older.
There are two types of hiatal hernias; paraesophageal and sliding. The most common is a sliding hiatus hernia, which occurs when the stomach and a section of the esophagus slide through the hiatus into the chest. Paraesophageal hernia is less common, but much more serious. It occurs when a section of the stomach squeezes through the hiatus while the esophagus and the rest of the stomach remain in place. This results in the blood supply to the stomach being cut off.
There are three possible causes of a hiatus hernia. The most common reason is an esophageal hiatus that is larger than most, resulting in the stomach sliding into the chest. The two less common causes are a shortened esophagus, usually due to regurgitation of stomach acid, and a loose attachment of the diaphragm to the esophagus.
Symptoms of hiatal hernias include, but are not limited to, heartburn, vomiting, regurgitation, sour taste, frequent belching and hiccups, difficulty swallowing, gas, cough, difficulty swallowing, chest pain or pressure, esophageal pain, bloating and abdominal pain pain or discomfort. Most people with a hiatus hernia will not have any symptoms. This is especially true for sliding hiatus hernia. People with a paraesophageal hernia are much more likely to experience symptoms due to a loss of blood supply to the stomach.
Hiatal hernias are diagnosed by a radiograph of the esophagus or by endoscopy. If the patient is diagnosed with a paraesophageal hernia, surgery is performed to treat it. If the patient is diagnosed with a sliding hernia and experiences symptoms, they are usually treated with gastric reflux medications. When a person does not experience any hiatus hernia symptoms, treatment is not necessary. If, after diagnosis, the patient develops severe chest or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or inability to pass gas, they should call their doctor immediately, as this is a medical emergency.
Patients who have had hernia surgery are usually able to walk the next day. No dietary restrictions are necessary and most patients can resume normal activity within a week. Even after surgery, there is still a chance that the hernia will come back.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
