Hiatal Hernia Symptoms and Treatments
What is a Hiatus Hernia? A hiatus hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm, the thin sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.
The hernia protrudes through the diaphragm preventing muscle fibres of the diaphragm closing at the lower end of the oesophagus.
Types of Hiatus Hernia.
There are two types, a rolling and a sliding hiatus hernia which is the more common of the two.
The sliding hernia is when the stomach pokes through the diaphragm and slides up and down in and out of the lower chest, this is often small.
A rolling hernia is less common and involves part of the stomach poking through the hole in the diaphragm next to the oesophagus.
What are the symptoms Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms.
This is when a burning feeling is experienced in the chest and throat.
This is due to acid in the stomach regurgitating into the oesophagus.
Other symptoms can include pain in abdomen and chest, acid taste in mouth, feeling sick, bloating, belching, difficulty swallowing.
However many people who have a hiatus hernia may not experience any symptoms at all.
Causes It is difficult to determine the exact cause but it appears to be more common in people who are over 50, smokers, overweight people or ladies who are pregnant.
Complications Complications can occur if there has been reflux of acid into the oesophagus over a long period.
These include a stricture, Barrett's oesophagus and cancer.
A stricture can develop if there is long-standing inflammation causing scarring and narrowing of the oesophagus.
Barrett's oesophagus is when the cells that line the lower oesophagus, these cells are more susceptible to becoming cancerous.
People who have a hiatus hernia have a slightly more increased risk of developing cancer due to the long term reflux.
How is it diagnosed? The most common test is an endoscopy.
This is where a long tube like endoscope is passed through the mouth down the oesophagus into the stomach.
The endoscope allows the doctor to see if there is any indication of a hiatus hernia being present.
It can also be diagnosed using an x-ray.
The patient will have to swallow a barium sulphate drink which coats the digestive system making it easier to see when the x-ray is carried out.
The hernia protrudes through the diaphragm preventing muscle fibres of the diaphragm closing at the lower end of the oesophagus.
Types of Hiatus Hernia.
There are two types, a rolling and a sliding hiatus hernia which is the more common of the two.
The sliding hernia is when the stomach pokes through the diaphragm and slides up and down in and out of the lower chest, this is often small.
A rolling hernia is less common and involves part of the stomach poking through the hole in the diaphragm next to the oesophagus.
What are the symptoms Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms.
This is when a burning feeling is experienced in the chest and throat.
This is due to acid in the stomach regurgitating into the oesophagus.
Other symptoms can include pain in abdomen and chest, acid taste in mouth, feeling sick, bloating, belching, difficulty swallowing.
However many people who have a hiatus hernia may not experience any symptoms at all.
Causes It is difficult to determine the exact cause but it appears to be more common in people who are over 50, smokers, overweight people or ladies who are pregnant.
Complications Complications can occur if there has been reflux of acid into the oesophagus over a long period.
These include a stricture, Barrett's oesophagus and cancer.
A stricture can develop if there is long-standing inflammation causing scarring and narrowing of the oesophagus.
Barrett's oesophagus is when the cells that line the lower oesophagus, these cells are more susceptible to becoming cancerous.
People who have a hiatus hernia have a slightly more increased risk of developing cancer due to the long term reflux.
How is it diagnosed? The most common test is an endoscopy.
This is where a long tube like endoscope is passed through the mouth down the oesophagus into the stomach.
The endoscope allows the doctor to see if there is any indication of a hiatus hernia being present.
It can also be diagnosed using an x-ray.
The patient will have to swallow a barium sulphate drink which coats the digestive system making it easier to see when the x-ray is carried out.
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