What is Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity around the esophagus. Hiatal hernias are often caused by weakened muscles around the hiatus, which is an opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes and connects to the stomach.
What symptoms will I experience if I have hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia does not generally produce symptoms. However, many patients who have a hiatal hernia often experience acid reflux and/or heartburn.
How is it diagnosed?
A hiatal hernia is most commonly diagnosed when a patient sees his physician for a different medical condition. Many hiatal hernia patients also suffer from GERD and generally discover that they have a hiatal hernia when they are being treated for or testing for GERD. There are two common procedures used to test for a hiatal hernia:
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Barium swallow: A barium swallow involves the ingestion of barium after which a series of x-rays are taken. The barium coating allows your physician to see if your esophagus shows a hernia. |
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Endoscopy: This is when a small, flexible tube that has a light and a camera is inserted orally and travels down your esophagus, where your physician can view the esophagus and determine if there is herniation. |
What is the treatment process for a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia that presents no symptoms generally needs no treatment.
However, many patients with a hiatal hernia also suffer from GERD and when GERD is present,
patients may suffer from mild to severe symptoms. In many patients, these symptoms can be
treated with medication and no surgery is necessary. However, in some patients, the hernia
will need to be treated with a type of surgery known as fundoplication.
In a fundoplication surgery, the hernia is pulled from the chest cavity into the abdomen
and sutured so that it remains in the abdominal cavity. Most physicians recommend surgery
for patients with paraesophageal or mixed hiatal hernia in order to avoid other health complications.
Where can I learn more about hiatal hernias?
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