Hiatal hernia - Picture, Causes, Symptoms, Surgery and Treatment of Hiatal hernia

What is Hiatal hernia?

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.

What causes a hiatal hernia?

In some cases, it is caused by having a larger-than-normal esophageal hiatus. Often times it can also be a result of increased pressure in the abdomen from coughing, vomiting, straining or sudden physical exertion. Obesity can contribute to this condition, as can pregancy due to the increased upward pressure of the uterus as it expands.

Symptoms of Hiatal hernia

The most common symptom is burning in your chest (heartburn), especially at night when you are lying down. Other possible signs include burping and trouble swallowing.

Types of Hiatal hernia

• sliding hiatal hernia (99%)
• paraesophageal hernia (1%)
• totally intrathoracic stomach
• congenitally short esophagus (not a true hernia)

A hernia occurs when one part of your body protrudes through a gap or opening into another part of your body. Many types of hernias occur in the abdominal area. But hiatal hernias — also known as diaphragmatic hernias — form at the opening (hiatus) in your diaphragm where your food pipe (esophagus) joins your stomach. When the muscle tissue around the hiatus becomes weak, the upper part of your stomach may bulge through the diaphragm into your chest cavity.

Treatment of Hiatal hernia

If you don't have any signs or symptoms from a hiatal hernia — and most people don't — you probably won't need any treatment. But if you're experiencing recurrent gastroesophageal reflux, you may get relief from a few simple changes in your lifestyle. If you're overweight, losing weight alone may relieve your symptoms.

Hiatal Hernia Diet Tips

About 50% of all people with hiatal hernias do not have any symptoms. For the other approximate 50% of individuals with hiatal hernias who do have symptoms, heartburn is the most common symptom. Knowing how to control the heartburn through diet is important.

Hiatal hernia Surgery

A few people with a symptomatic hiatal hernia may need surgery. This is usually considered only when medications and lifestyle changes fail to relieve severe reflux symptoms, or when you have complications such as chronic bleeding or narrowing or obstruction of your esophagus. Large hiatal hernias may also need repair if they cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or chest pain.

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