Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It is used in breathing.
Alternative Names
Hernia - hiatal
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause is unknown, but hiatal hernias may be the result of a weakening of the supporting tissue. Increasing age, obesity, and smoking are known risk factors in adults.
Hiatal hernias are very common, especially in people over 50 years old. This condition may cause reflux (backflow) of gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus.
A hiatal hernia by itself rarely causes symptoms -- pain and discomfort are usually due to the reflux of gastric acid, air, or bile. Reflux happens more easily in the presence of hiatal hernia, though a hiatal hernia is not the only cause of reflux..
The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Reducing the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux) will relieve pain symptoms. Medications that neutralize stomach acidity, decrease acid production, or strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter may be prescribed.
Other measures to reduce symptoms include:
Avoiding large or heavy meals
Not lying down or bending over immediately after a meal
Reducing weight and not smoking
Failure to control the symptoms by general or medical measures, or the appearance of complications, may require surgical repair of the hernia.
Diaphragmatic hernia (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you breathe. The opening allows part of the abdominal organs to move into the chest area. Reviewer: Daniel Rauch, M.D., FAAP., Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/26/2007
Upper GI and small bowel series (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. These x-rays are taken after the patient has swallowed barium, which shows up on x-rays. See also barium enema (lower GI series. Reviewer: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/25/2006
EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat. Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/08/2006
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