Hiatal Hernia

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• Hiatal Hernia Overview
• Hiatal Hernia Causes
• Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Hiatal Hernia Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Hiatal Hernia from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Hiatal Hernia - Symptoms
• Viewer Comments: Hiatal Hernia - Effective Treatments

Featured hiatal hernia patient discussions on effective treatments "I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. I recently gained a few pounds, and that’s when it got worse. I had to change my diet. No citrus, chocolate, caffeine, tomato or spicy foods. Some over-the-counter medications have caffeine in them, such as Excedrin. So I cut out some of these products and I felt better. Oh, and I do not eat or drink three hours before going to bed. I use extra pillows when sleeping." - esined "Hi all... My gastroentologist has found that i am having hiatal hernia. She has suggested me to stick to the routine diet timings. She says that taking food at proper time (not heavy) will automatically take care of the heart burning sense and the vomiting kind of feelings. I am now under strict diet avoiding spicy and acidic food stuffs. Am getting better and my appetite is also good now. She said, the possible reason for this problem could be constipation...." - Jerry Read All Comments on Hiatal Hernia » Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

Hiatal Hernia Overview

Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity through an opening of the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. This opening usually is large enough to accommodate the esophagus alone. With weakening and enlargement however, the opening (or herniation) can allow upward passage or even entrapment of the upper stomach above the diaphragm.

• Hiatal hernia is a common condition. By age 60, up to 60% of people have it to some degree.

• There are 2 types of hiatal hernia.

• The sliding type, as its name implies, occurs when the junction between the stomach and esophagus slides up through the esophageal hiatus during moments of increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. When the pressure is relieved, the stomach falls back down with gravity to its normal position.

• The fixed type (or paraesophageal) implies that there is no sliding up and down. A portion of the stomach remains stuck in the chest cavity.

Hiatal Hernia Causes

Suspected causes or contributing factors

• Obesity
  
  
• Poor seated posture (such as slouching)
  
  
• Frequent coughing
  
  
• Straining with constipation
  
  
• Frequent bending over or heavy lifting
  
  
• Heredity
  
  
• Smoking
  
  
• Congenital defects