Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach moves into the chest through the hole in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that divides the chest cavity from the abdomen.
The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It enters the abdominal cavity through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. When a person has hiatal hernia, the diaphragmatic hiatus is usually weakened or larger than usual. At times, the upper part of the stomach can pass up through this larger-than-usual hole and into the chest cavity.
A person with a hiatal hernia often has no symptoms. The hernia may be found during a test called an upper GI series or during endoscopy.
When symptoms do occur they can include: heartburnpainful swallowingburpingfeeling like food is stuck in the throatfeeling of fullness in the chestchest painblood in the stoolssevere pain from constriction of the stomach or esophagus
A hiatal hernia may be caused by: constant, harsh coughingvomitingconstipation and straining during bowel movementssudden physical exertionpregnancyobesitysmokingtight clothing around the abdomentrauma, causing a hole or tear in the diaphragmcongenital abnormality, or weakness of the esophageal hiatus present at birthesophageal cancermedical procedures affecting the esophagus or diaphragm
A person can decrease his or her risk of hiatal hernia by: staying at a healthy weightlimiting smoking and alcoholeating a high fiber dietnot straining during bowel movementsusing proper body mechanics, such as bending at the knees, during heavy liftingwearing a seatbelt correctlyfollowing sports safety guidelines for children, adolescents, and adults
Some causes of hiatal hernia cannot be prevented.
After a complete history and physical, the healthcare provider may order: ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to see the diaphragm and stomachendoscopy, a procedure that uses a long tube to look inside the esophagusan upper GI series. In this test a person swallows liquid barium, and x-rays are taken to follow the course of the barium through the esophagus and into the stomach.
Hiatal hernias can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is chronic reflux of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. Ulcers or irritation of the lining of the esophagus and upper stomach can also occur. Strangulation of the esophagus or stomach may also occur with larger hiatal hernias.
Hiatal hernia poses no risk to others.
Treatment of hiatal hernia is focused on treating and reducing symptoms. To reduce symptoms, a person should: sleep with the head of the bed raised several inchesavoid citrus fruits, spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, and caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate) eat small, frequent mealsmaintain a healthy weight, or losing weight if obeseavoid eating within 2 hours before bedtimeavoid straining during bowel movements or heavy lifting
Medications that reduce acid production in the stomach or that make the stomach empty faster may help.
Surgery may be needed if symptoms are severe or persistent, or if there is a large hole in the diaphragm. The surgery is done to strengthen the diaphragm and decrease the size of the diaphragmatic hiatus.
Medications that block stomach acid production can cause nausea, headache, or diarrhea. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and allergic reactions to anesthesia.
For mild intermittent symptoms, treatment with antacids, watching diet and activity may control hiatal hernia symptoms. For more serious recurrent symptoms, surgery may be needed. Recovery from surgery may be a few days to several weeks depending on the procedure used.
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/heartbrn/heartbrn.htm#hiatal
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 1998, Fauci et al.
Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness, and Surgery, H. Griffith, M.D., 2000
