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 - The Hole In The Diaphragm

A Hiatal Hernia, also known as a diaphragmatic hernia, occurs at the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus connects to the stomach. The esophagus is also referred to as the food pipe since it is responsible for carrying the food from the mouth directly into the stomach.

A hernia occurs anytime when one body part pushes its way into another body area where anatomically that body part does not belong. The diaphragm is a large dome-shaped muscular wall which separates the chest cavity from the abdomen and is greatly used in the mechanics of normal breathing. There is a small opening in the diaphragm known as the hiatus. With a hiatal hernia the stomach bulges up and into the chest through the opening known as the hiatus.

Although the exact cause of a hiatal hernia is unknown, it is thought that these hernias occur as a result of a weakening in the supportive and surrounding tissues. Other contributing factors may include obesity, smoking and advancing age.

Although fairly common, especially in those over 50, the majority of hiatal hernias are small and of no consequence. Many are only discovered through tests when your physician is actually looking for something else, such as evidence of acid reflux disease. However, large hiatal hernias can certainly cause their fair share of problems, including allowing food and stomach acids to back up into the esophagus causing heartburn.

Symptoms of hiatal hernia include heartburn, chest pain, burping, and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). These symptoms occur not as a direct result of the hiatal hernia itself but as a result of what the hernia allows...the backflow of food and stomach acid into the esophagus. Many people report an increase in symptoms when lifting heavy objects, lying down, leaning forward or straining.

Even if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, unless you have symptoms then you generally will not require any treatment.

However if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and are experiencing symptoms then it is important work closely you're your healthcare provider in order to determine the best treatment plan for your symptoms.

Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, if you are over weight, reducing stress, sitting up after eating, avoiding tight fitting close and limiting fatty foods may be enough to give you complete relief from the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Other treatment options include medications such as antacids, histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors, and surgical repair if the hiatal hernia is large enough.

Relief can be found from a symptomatic hiatal hernia. Just ask the questions and you will find the answers just for you.

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Hiatal Hernia - A More Dangerous and Hard to Detect Form of the Common Illness

Hiatal hernia is not as widespread as inguinal hernia which is the most encountered form but it is the second most common type of hernia so you should know what it is and how it manifests in order to know if you are suffering from it and what to do in this case.

Most hernias occur in the abdominal area. Hiatal hernia appears in the upper parts of the abdomen, at the diaphragm. A simple definition of hernia is that it is a disease that appears when a certain part of the body loses its resistance, because it gets old in most cases, and another part of the body that is in contact with the first one slips through a small hole that appears in the first part. Depending on the body parts involved in this hernia can be divided into more types.

Hiatal hernia involves the diaphragm, which is the first 'organ' from the situation above, the one that gets weakened, and the stomach, its upper side in most cases is the second one. The stomach is supposed to stay under the diaphragm (the muscular membrane that separates the abdomen from the lungs), but the diaphragm has a small hole in it through which the esophagus passes. The area around the hole weakens and a part of the stomach passes through it and slides inside the chest cavity. There are two forms of hiatal hernia, sliding hiatal hernia, when the stomach slides through the opening in the diaphragm between the stomach and esophagus as mentioned above, which is the most common form, and rolling hiatal hernia, less encountered, when the stomach slides along the esophagus not between it and the stomach.

Unlike other forms of hernia you can't feel the bulge that appears because the stomach slides inside the body, so in order to detect it you need to pay close attention if any of its symptoms show up, which is not that easy because in most cases it shows no easy-to-see symptoms! It usually causes heartburn, a warm feeling in the chest, because of the acid in the stomach that re-fluxes backwards in the esophagus. Most people feel symptoms after eating and lying down, they start feeling bad, especially if they eat hot spicy foods.

If you experience any of the mentioned above try paying a visit to your doctor and ask for a control. These symptoms also appear because of indigestion so don't get alarmed until you receive diagnostic. It's important to detect hiatal hernia early because if it's left untreated it may lead to severe complications that include heart-attack! So periodically visit your doc and pay attention to the symptoms to avoid complications, but don't panic as soon as you get a little heartburn because there's a long way from that to a heart-attack.

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

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