| A hiatal hernia occurs when there is an | | | | pressure. This increased pressure is |
| abnormality in the abdomen in which a | | | | thought to possibly contribute to the |
| portion of the stomach protrudes through | | | | development of a hiatal hernia. Some |
| the diaphragm and up into the chest | | | | folks who suffer from a hiatal hernia |
| cavity. There are two primary types of | | | | may not experience obvious symptoms. |
| hiatal hernias. The first type is | | | | Most commonly one of the initial |
| known as the sliding hiatal hernia and | | | | symptoms of a hiatal hernia are symptoms |
| is the most common type of hernias. In | | | | similar to GERD otherwise known as |
| the sliding hernia, the stomach and the | | | | gastroesophageal reflux disease. These |
| section of the esophagus that connects | | | | symptoms of hiatal hernia occur because |
| to the stomach push slide up into the | | | | the hernia interferes with proper |
| chest wall and through the weakened | | | | functioning of the lower esophageal |
| opening. The second type of hiatal | | | | sphincter. When the sphincter works |
| hernia is less common and is known as a | | | | properly it keeps the stomach acid from |
| paraesophageal hernia. Although less | | | | refluxing upwards into the esophagus. |
| common, it is more serious than the | | | | So you can get the picture, if it |
| sliding hiatal hernia. With the | | | | functions poorly the stomach acid pushes |
| paraesophageal hernia, the esophagus and | | | | up and into the esophagus causing pain |
| stomach stay tucked into their | | | | and irritation. Your physician may |
| traditional but a portion of the stomach | | | | choose to order either an x-ray or |
| manages to force its way through the | | | | endoscopy in order to definitively |
| hiatus and move into position next to | | | | diagnose a hiatal hernia. This |
| the esophagus. In this serious health | | | | abnormality in the esophagus must be |
| condition you may exhibit no hiatal | | | | properly diagnosed in order to |
| hernia symptoms but you could be | | | | effectively treat the underlying issue. |
| experiencing a condition in which the | | | | It is important to note that some hiatal |
| blood supply to the stomach is literally | | | | hernias can be rather serious and can |
| cut off. This could lead to | | | | even require surgical intervention. So |
| complications such as tissue death. | | | | if you are experiencing symptoms of GERD |
| This hiatal hernia could require | | | | which may indicate a more serious hiatal |
| surgical repair if it is serious enough. | | | | hernia it is important that you see your |
| Hiatal hernias develop for reasons | | | | healthcare provide in order to get a |
| including injuries to the area and | | | | proper diagnosis. A hiatal hernia is |
| performing bodily actions, such as | | | | not something that should be ignored, it |
| pregnancy, weight gain, or even | | | | is a serious matter and requires |
| straining during a bowel movement, all | | | | treatment. |
| of which can increase intrabdominal | | | | |