loading...
Written by: Shawn Gordon | Tags: hiatus hernia, sliding hiatal hernia, rolling hiatus hernia
Article Quick Links – Introduction | Hiatal Hernia Symptoms | Hiatal Hernia Treatment | Risk Factors
A hiatal hernia (also known as a hiatus hernia) is when the upper part of the stomach protrudes into the thorax, usually due to a tear or weakness in the diaphragm.
Hiatal hernias can usually be split up into two major types; the first being the most common type called the sliding hiatus hernia. This is where a major junction moves above the diaphragm together with the stomach.
The second type is known as the rolling hiatus hernia, this is where a part of the stomach protrudes through the esophageal hiatus and thus lies next to the esophageal without a major junction moving. There is also a third type which is a mix between the first two.-
Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
Having a hiatal hernia can be hard to spot due to it mimicking many other disorders of the body. It is even known that sufferers can experience what feels like a heart attack due to severe chest pains, however this is not the case. Most hernia sufferers experience the following symptoms (sorted from most common to least common):
• Heartburn
• Chest Pain
• Pain in the stomach or in the esophagus
• Asthma
• Dry, ticklish cough
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Regurgitation
• Frequent hiccups
• Feeling a sour or bitter taste in the mouth
• Feeling full at the base of the throat
• Pressure in the left side of the upper body, especially the shoulder, arm or neck
• Ulcers
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty to swallow food
• General lack of appetite
• Bloating and belching, especially after eating
• Difficulty breathing deeply (from the stomach)…this happens because the lungs are pushed back.
If you think you have a hiatal hernia then you will undergo an endoscopy or high resolution manometry. The risk of having a hiatal hernia can be multiplied if you have increased pressure in the abdomen region. There are many causes for this which include; hard coughing, heavy lifting, pregnancy and delivery, stress, drug use such as cocaine and even heredity.
Hiatal Hernia Treatment
Treatment of a hiatal hernia is pretty straight forward unless the hernia grows larger. If this is the case it can cause discomfort and in cases where acid reflux occurs, surgery may be a very viable option as if it is not treated it can seriously injure the esophagus and can sometimes even cause esophageal cancer.
The surgical procedure used to fix hiatal hernia is called Nissen fundoplication. It involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach that protrudes into the chest around the lower part of the esophagus and stitching it in place. This surgery is generally non-invasive and patients only take a week or two to heal.
If the hernia is brought about due to stress, a series of stress reduction techniques can be used to treat the problem. Weight can also be a reason for the cause of a hernia and the best treatment for that is to lose weight.
Hiatal Hernia Risk Factors
It is commonly accepted among medical experts that the risk of having a hiatal hernia increases with age. Studies show that more than 60% of people over 50 suffer from a hiatal hernia in America. The majority of these cases are the most common sliding type of hiatal hernia.
The hiatal hernia is mostly common in more economically developed countries in Northern America and Europe and rare in African populations. A potential reason for this may be the dietary differences with insufficient amounts of fiber in the west and also the unnatural position of defecation causing increased pressure on the abdomen.
