Hiatal Hernia
When a part of the stomach pushes up through the small opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm, the result is a condition called a hiatal hernia.
Although many people have hiatal hernias and never experience symptoms, in cases where the hernia is large, stomach contents may reflux or flow backward into the esophagus resulting in symptoms of heartburn such as chest pain and burning.
Hiatal hernias are more common in older people and in obese individuals or smokers. However, hiatal hernias can also result from injury, inherited conditions, high pressure around the muscles such as occurs with prolonged coughing, vomiting or straining.
Treatment of Hiatal Hernia
In most cases, small hiatal hernias are treated with medications for symptomatic relief of heartburn. These medications neutralize, reduce, or completely block stomach acid production.
In cases where chronic symptoms are not controlled by medications or damage to the esophagus is occurring, surgical hiatal hernia repair may be necessary.