Hiatal Hernia Overview

Hernia generally involves penetration of the internal organs through the protective muscle walls that surround them. Depending on the organs involved in causing the disorder, there can be many different types of hernia. 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. When the hiatus is weakened, the content of the stomach can be pushed upwards inside the esophagus, causing hiatal hernia. When the disorder occurs in the area above the diaphragm, it is referred to as sliding hiatal hernia. When the disorder occurs in the area below the diaphragm, it is referred to as paraesophageal hiatal hernia.

Hiatal hernia affects both sexes equally. Although it can occur at any age, the disorder has the highest incidence in elderly people. Hiatal hernia is also common in overweight people and in people who frequently sustain intense physical effort (weight lifting).

Some people who suffer from hiatal hernia usually don’t have any symptoms at all. However, hiatal hernia can generate symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain and discomfort and nausea. Most people affected by hiatal hernia suffer from heartburn, which usually intensifies after meals. This common symptom of hiatal hernia occurs due to reflux of the stomach content inside the esophagus. When doctors suspect the presence of hiatal hernia in patients, they usually perform additional tests in order to confirm the clinical diagnose. Hiatal hernia can be revealed by X-ray scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and computerized tomography. Nowadays, the disorder can be quickly diagnosed with the means of a laparoscope.

Unlike other forms of the disorder, hiatal hernia rarely requires surgery. In fact, in many cases hiatal hernia doesn’t require any medical treatment at all. When patients diagnosed with hiatal hernia complain about heartburn, doctors usually prescribe antacids or other similar medications. Corrective surgery is only required for patients with more serious, complicated forms of hiatal hernia. The surgical intervention is safe and quick, allowing patients to recover completely within a few days after the operation.

Uncomplicated hiatal hernia can be effectively cured by making lifestyle improvements. An appropriate diet and a healthy eating schedule have proved to be very effective ways of correcting hiatal hernia. Also, people who suffer from hiatal hernia are recommended to avoid weight lifting and straining in order to prevent complications.

Although it is very common, hiatal hernia is one of the least threatening forms of hernia and in many cases the disorder disappears on itself. However, if the symptoms generated by the disorder are ongoing or very intense, it is best to inform your physician about this.

Hiatal Hernia: Most Common Form of Hernia

Many types of hernia are encountered at millions of people in the world, but the most common form, that affects the majority of the hernia patients is hiatal hernia. Other types are: inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, and sports hernia. These types are less common then hiatal hernia.

Any type of hernia occurs when a part of an organ pokes through a tear that appears in the muscles near it. In the hiatal hernia's case, the upper side of the stomach gets in the chest through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen, and the hiatus is an orifice in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes in order to reach the stomach.

When hiatal hernia appears, the upper stomach and the end of the esophagus slip up through the hiatus because it has become weakened. This is called a sliding hiatal hernia. Most of the hiatal hernias are sliding hiatal hernias, but a few people suffer from a different form, called paraesophageal hernia, which is slightly more dangerous because the stomach can get strangled. Some call it strangled hiatal hernia for this reason. In paraesophageal hernia, the upper stomach and the esophagus don't slide through the hiatus together like in sliding hiatal hernia, but a little part of the stomach slips through it and can strangle the esophagus and shut its blood supply off.

The exact cause of hiatal hernia is not entirely known. It may happen after an accident where the chest or the abdomen of the patient is hit, or if the pressure inside the abdominal cavity is increased by repeated coughing or during pregnancy.

Hiatal hernia doesn't cause any symptoms or trouble in the body, so in most cases people have it and they don't even know about it, but they aren't exposed to any risks. The only time when treatment is required is when strangulation occurs. In this case the patient needs surgery to put the stomach back in its normal position. Hiatal hernia surgery can be done with the help of the laparoscope, an instrument used in many types of surgeries, that enables the doctor to operate without making a large incision in the chest, but through a very small one.

So, most of the people that have hiatal hernia can easily live with it without experiencing any problems, but if you know that you have it and you start to feel pain in the abdomen often or maybe even vomit, you may be in the danger of a strangulation, so consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

If you want to find great information on different hernia subjects check out this link http://www.hernia-guide.com. You can find great content regarding sports hernia, umbilical hernia and many more.

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