Doctor's Notes on Hiatal Hernia
The esophagus is a tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It passes through the chest and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm, the breathing muscle beneath the chest that separates the chest and abdomen. The term hiatal hernia describes the condition in which the upper part of the stomach that normally is located just below the diaphragm in the abdomen pushes through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm to rest within the chest cavity. This mean part of the stomach has risen up from its location in the abdomen into the chest. This is a fairly common condition, and in most cases, the cause is not known.
In most cases a hiatal hernia does not cause symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in which the digestive fluid containing acid from the stomach moves up into the esophagus. Associated symptoms can include heartburn, belching, nausea, and burping.
What Is the Treatment for Hiatal Hernia?
Treatments for hiatal hernia are similar to those for treating GERD due to any cause. These may include:
- Weight loss if overweight
- Eating smaller portions and eating at least 3-4 hours before lying down
- Limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Limiting consumption of certain foods including acidic foods, carbonated beverages, and vinegar
- Keeping the head higher than the body when lying down
- Wearing loose clothing
- Smoking cessation
- Medications to decrease acid production in the stomach
- Surgery in severe cases
Must Read Articles:
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Can a Hiatal Hernia Feel Like a Heart Attack?
A heart attack happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the heart, which causes heart muscle death. A hiatal hernia is a GI tract problem that occurs through the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus meets the stomach. When the muscles surrounding the diaphragm become weak or damaged, the upper portion of the stomach protrudes through the opening of the diaphragm. Both a heart attack and hiatal hernia can cause the same symptoms of chest pain that radiates down the arm, back, and neck, they are not the same. Heart attack is a medical emergency while a hiatal hernia usually is not. Heart attack symptoms that do not occur with a hiatal hernia include shortness of breath with chest pain that feels tight, full, achy, or pressured, heart palpitations, and jaw ache. Heart attacks in women also cause symptoms of extreme weakness and fatigue. Hiatal hernia symptoms that are different from heart attack are severe heartburn, belching, indigestion, coughing, problems swallowing, hiccups, and upper abdominal pain. Both heart attack and hiatal hernia may be preventable diseases. Heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 of you think you or someone you are with is having a heart attack; even if you think it may be heartburn or indigestion. -
Hernia (Types, Symptoms, and Surgery)
A hernia results when the contents of a body cavity bulge out of their normal area. There are many types of hernia, including inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, Spigelian, obturator, and epigastric hernias. Hernias may be caused by coughing, obesity, heavy lifting, straining, fluid in the abdominal cavity, or chronic lung disease. Symptoms and signs include a lump or bulge, pain, and possible fever. Hernias are generally surgically repaired. -
Hernia FAQ
Hernia occurs when part of an organ (intestine, bowel, bladder) or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot or tear in the abdominal muscles. Inguinal hernias occur in the groin and hiatal hernias occur in the stomach. Causes include weakness in the abdominal wall, injury, surgery, family history, pregnancy, and obesity. Symptoms include pain and swelling. Treatment is usually surgical repair. -
How Serious Is a Hernia?
A hernia, or a tear in muscle or connective tissue wall, nearly always needs surgical repair. How serious it is depends on the location of the hernia and which organs are nearby. -
The Different Types of Hernias
A hernia happens whenever a wall or membrane in the body weakens or ruptures, allowing organs to slip through. These can be painful, but are generally not serious and can be easily corrected with surgery. The types of abdominal hernias include: hiatal hernia, umbilical hernia, or incisional hernia. -
What Does a Hiatal Hernia Attack Feel Like?
A hiatal hernia, a tear or defect in the diaphragm that lets the stomach intrude into the chest cavity, may cause heartburn, cramps, occasional vomiting or trouble breathing.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.