Hiatal Hernia


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Hiatal hernia is a common type of hernia that occurs when the stomach wall presses against the esophageal hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm. The hiatus acts just like a valve, preventing the content of the stomach from reaching inside the esophagus.[1] 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.[2] Hiatal hernia is thought to contribute to the weakening of this sphincter muscle. [3]

Hiatal hernia is another word for "diaphragmatic" hernia. This occurs when the upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm, which is the muscle wall that separates the chest from the stomach.[4] Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity through an opening of the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. This opening usually is large enough to accommodate the esophagus alone.[5] Hiatal Hernia is what we will establish as the EFFECT and the CAUSE. The results are hundreds of common side EFFECTS.[6]

Hiatal hernia is a very common condition. It occurs when the stomach partially sits in the chest cavity through a weakness in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia is an enlarged opening in the diaphragm that allows the stomach or other abdominal organs to shift up into the chest. This may cause heartburn, chest or abdominal discomfort, discomfort with eating, shortness of breath, or no symptoms at all.[8] Hiatal hernia is a common condition that occurs when the stomach partially sits in the chest cavity through a weakness in the diaphragm. A persistent hiatal hernia may produce significant heartburn.[9]

Stomach acid can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn. Stomach acid problems are not always caused by what you eat or what you do. A million tiny things affect this problem, there is no simple cure and no cure that works the same for all people.[14]

Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use .[15] Health care providers usually recommend lifestyle and dietary changes to relieve symptoms of GERD. Many people with GERD also need medication.[16]

GERD can also be associated with a hiatal hernia. [17] GERD has been linked to laryngitis, chronic cough, pulmonary fibrosis, earache, and asthma, even when not clinically apparent, as well as to ulcers of the vocal cords. 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.[19]

Medications that lower the lower esophageal sphincter (or LES ) pressure should be avoided. Antisecretory drugs like proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor blockers can be used to reduce acid secretion.[20] Medical doctors have attempted surgery to correct this disorder, but the results tend to be poor. Cutting into this area can further weaken it so that the hernia will return in short order.[21] Medications that lower the lower esophageal sphincter (or LES ) pressure should be avoided. [22]

Acid may dissolve the lining of the esophagus, exposing parts of a major nerve that also affects the lungs. Irritation of the nerve sends a signal to the lungs, causing small airways to go into spasm.[23] Acid reflux can occur even when there is no significant damage to the esophageal hiatus. This can be due to overactive digestion taking place in the stomach, overeating, or the presence of excess stomach acid.[24] Acid reflux frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter releases more often that it should and at inappropriate times. This allows harsh stomach juices to back up into the esophagus.[25]

Doctors recommend elevating the head of the bed 6" - 7". Doctors can now use two different medical procedures to send a tube down the throat to fix the actual cause of chronic heartburn, instead of suppressing painful stomach acids as medications do. Doctors believe that some people suffer from GERD due to a condition called hiatal hernia. In most cases, heartburn can be relieved through diet and lifestyle changes; however, some people may require medication or surgery.[29]

Symptoms include severe chest pain, bloating, and difficulty swallowing. Very large hiatal hernias can develop lesions that bleed and cause anemia from the blood loss.[30] Symptoms usually start with a tingling or burning sensation, although patients may be able to see a bulge where the hernia is located. If extreme pain is present, emergency surgery may be needed.[31] Symptoms of inguinal hernia include pain in the groin, or a lump in the groin. In men, a hernia can develop at the point where the spermatic cord passes out of the abdomen into the scrotum.[32]

Symptoms may include vague, nonspecific abdominal complaints such as feeling full after a meal and indigestion. Patients may also have vomiting or chest pain. Symptoms result from displacement or stretching of the stomach and may include a feeling of fullness in the chest or pain resembling angina pectoris. Even if it produces no symptoms, this type of hernia needs surgical treatment because of the high risk of strangulation that can occur when a large portion of stomach becomes caught above the diaphragm.[34] Symptoms of esophagial spasms would be the feeling of the esopgagus closing prior to the completion of the swallow, I guess but I don't know for sure. I'm supposed to see my GI dr on 12/9 for a follow up visit and boy do I have some questions for him?[35]

Symptoms in patients with hiatal hernia may be multifactorial. Barrett esophagus consists of columnar epithelium lining the esophagus.[36]

Learn where your tender or hardened areas are and continue this massage daily until these resolve. This whole massage can be done through the clothing but take time to locate the all tender spots.[37] Left untreated, a hernia may become incarcerated, which means it can no longer be reduced or pushed back into place. With an incarcerated hernia the intestines become trapped outside the abdomen.[38] Less commonly a gastrostomy is used to fix the stomach in position. Patients with sliding hiatal or paraesophageal hernias may have shortening of the esophagus.[39]

Gastroesophageal reflux describes a backflow of acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube or esophagus. Almost everyone experiences gastroesophageal reflux at some time.[42] Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach.[43]

Patients frequently enter their doctor?s offices with printed Web pages of home remedies in the guise of latest medical research. This scenario is so common that doctors often spend more time dispelling misleading information than guiding patients through sound therapies. Patients with hiatal hernia often goes for a unnecessary checkups of heart disease. Some time the stomach can become twisted, resulting in ulcers.[45] Patients should be maintained on soft solids for several weeks to allow the edema of the fundoplication to resolve and prevent injury to the mucosa. A regular diet can be resumed after about 4 weeks.

Patient Profile - The most common causes of hiatal hernias are increases in pressure in the abdominal cavity. More Like This: Click here to perform a search for documents like this one.[47] Patients with serious pain should seek medical advice. [48]

Paraesophageal and mixed hiatal hernias may progress and are more serious. [49] Paraesophageal hernias are prone to strangulation. [50] Paraesophageal hernia is when a part of your stomach squeezes through the hiatus. This is a more serious hernia because it can cause your stomach to become strangled and can cut off the blood supply.[51]

Heartburn is a form of indigestion. It is usually felt as a burning pain behind the breastbone (in the front of your chest, over the heart), and occurs when stomach acid damages the inside of the gullet (oesophagus).[53] Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or acid reflux. You may experience GERD when acid contents in your stomach back up into your esophagus.[54] Heartburn is the most common symptom of having a hiatal hernia. It is a feeling of burning pain in your chest or below the sternum (chest bone).[55]

Long-term use of antacids can, however, result in side effects like diarrhea, altered calcium metabolism, and magnesium retention. Magnesium retention can be serious for patients with kidney disease.[60] Long-term use of antacids can produce side effects like diarrhea, altered calcium metabolism, and magnesium retention.

Barrett, a distinguished London surgeon, who first described it in the 1950's. Unrecognized and untreated Barrett's Esophagus can develop into cancer of the esophagus, a deadly condition.[64] Barrett's cells grow in the form of glands. [65]

Ligaments and other tissues are attached where the gullet joins the stomach, so that this junction is anchored permanently below the diaphragm. [69] Listed below are facts about common digestive diseases. [70] Liebert Online uses cookies to improve performance by remembering that you are logged in when you go from page to page. If the cookie cannot be set correctly, then Liebert Online cannot determine whether you are logged in and a new session will be created for each page you visit.[71]