Hiatus Hernia
Hiatal Hernia:
- A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm and into your chest region.
- The diaphragm is a large muscle that lies between your abdomen and chest. You use this muscle to help you breathe.
- Normally, your stomach is below the diaphragm, but in people with a hiatal hernia, a portion of the stomach pushes up through the muscle. The opening it moves through is called a hiatus.
- Types of hiatal hernia There are generally two types of hiatal hernia:
- Sliding hiatal
- This is the most common type of hiatal hernia.
- Hernias and fixed, or paraesophageal hernias.
- It occurs when your stomach and esophagus slide into and out of your chest through the hiatus.
- Sliding hernias tend to be small. They usually don’t cause any symptoms. They may not require treatment.
Fixed hiatal hernia
- This type of hernia isn’t as common.
- It’s also known as a paraesophageal hernia.
- In a fixed hernia, part of your stomach pushes through your diaphragm and stays there.
- Most cases are not serious. However, there is a risk that blood flow to your stomach could become blocked. If that happens, it could cause serious damage and is considered a medical emergency.
Treatment options for hiatal hernias:
- Most cases of hiatal hernias don’t require treatment. The presence of symptoms usually determines treatment.
- If you have acid reflux and heartburn, you may be treated with medications or, if those don’t work, surgery.
- Medications Medications your doctor may prescribe include:
Over-the-counter antacids to neutralize stomach acid -over-the-counter or prescription H2-receptor blockers that lower acid production-over-the-counter or prescription proton pump inhibitors to prevent acid production, giving your esophagus time to heal.
- Surgery If medications don’t work, you might need surgery on your hiatal hernia. However, surgery is not commonly recommended.
Some types of surgery for this condition include:
- Rebuilding weak esophageal muscles-putting your stomach back in place and making your hiatus smaller.
- To perform surgery, doctors either make a standard incision in the chest or abdomen, or use laparoscopic surgery, which shortens recovery time. Hernias can come back after surgery.
- You can reduce this risk by: staying at a healthy weight-getting help lifting heavy objects-avoiding strain on your abdominal muscles