A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes through the opening in your diaphragm where the esophagus meets the stomach. Small hiatal hernias usually don't cause problems or have symptoms, but large ones can cause heartburn and chest pain, and more severe hiatal hernias require surgery.
Common Symptoms
Sometimes a hiatal hernia is so large that it causes stomach acid to flow into the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food to your stomach. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can cause heartburn, belching, chest pain and nausea.
Unusual Symptoms
In some cases the part of your stomach that is causing the hernia can become twisted or lose its blood supply. This can cause difficulty breathing and severe chest pain. It can also make it difficult to swallow and can block your esophagus.
Factors
The position of your body affects the severity of the symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, leaning forward, lifting heavy objects and lying down can make the symptoms more pronounced. Pregnant women may also have more severe symptoms.
Causes And Risk Factors
Doctors aren't sure exactly what causes hiatal hernias, but they do know that putting severe pressure on the abdomen increases your chances of developing his condition. In addition, persistent coughing, straining while defecating and lifting heavy objects can all contribute to a hiatal hernia.
Medication
For mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter antacids, which relieve heartburn. Your doctor may also recommend H-2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, which lessen your body's production of stomach acid. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who take H-2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors while taking other medications should talk to their doctors to prevent a harmful drug interaction.
A doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking; smokers and obese people are at higher risk of hiatal hernia.
Surgery
When medicine and lifestyle changes fail to improve a hiatal hernia, surgery is sometimes required. Several types of surgery are available, including laproscopic surgery, in which the surgeon makes a few small incisions and performs the operation with the help of a tiny camera and a TV screen.
