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