1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Heartburn / GERD

Hiatal Hernia

Some people suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease because they have a hiatal hernia. Learn what a hiatal hernia is, and how to live with it.

Hiatal Hernia - What symptoms led you to your hiatal hernia diagnosis

When did you first suspect you may have a hiatal hernia? Were there symptoms that prompted you to go to your doctor? Let others know your experience.

Symptoms of Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernias

Paraesopheal hiatal hernias may not present any symptoms. However, intermittent symptoms can occur, and knowing these symptoms can lead to earlier treatment.

Hiatal Hernias

A hiatal hernia occurs when upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and up into the chest. This opening is called a esophageal hiatus more diaphragmatic hiatus.

What You Need to Know About Hiatal Hernias

Whether you suspect you have a hiatal hernia or you are newly diagnosed, you will want to know the symptoms, the causes, and the treatment of hiatal hernias.

Your Guide to Hiatal Hernias

Learn what hiatal hernias are, what can cause them, the symptoms of hiatal hernias, how hiatal hernias are diagnosed, how they are treated, the complications of hiatal hernias, and how to live with a hiatal hernia.

Hiatal Hernia Diet Tips

About 50% of all people with hiatal hernias do not have any symptoms. For the other approximate 50% of individuals with hiatal hernias who do have symptoms, heartburn is the most common symptom. Knowing how to control the heartburn through diet is important.

Treating Hiatal Hernias

For approximately 50% of individuals with a hiatal hernia, symptoms are not present. For those who do experience symptoms, it is usually caused by heartburn, or acid reflux. Many individuals with a hiatal hernia also have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. For them, their doctors may prescribe a treatment plan that is similar to the treatment for GERD.

Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia

50 percent of hiatal hernia patients don't experience any symptoms. For the other 50 percent of patients, the following symptoms may occur.

What tests are used to diagnose hiatal hernias?

There are a few procedures that are used to diagnose the presence of a hiatal hernia.

What is the treatment for hiatal hernias?

Approximately 50 percent of patients with hiatal hernias don't have symptoms, thus treatment isn't necessary. For the other 50 percent of patients the following treatments may be used by their doctors.

What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?

50 percent of hiatal hernia patients don't experience any symptoms. For the other 50 percent of patients, the following symptoms may occur.

What condition is most commonly associated with a hiatal hernia?

Other digestive disorders can occur along with a hiatal hernia. Learn which is the disorder that occurs in the majority of hiatal hernia patients.

What can cause a hiatal hernia?

Learn what conditions and lifestyle events can contribute to hiatal hernias.

Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia

There are two categories of hiatal hernias, sliding or paraesophageal. With paraesophageal hernias, the gastro-esophageal junction remains where it belongs, but part of the stomach is squeezed up into the chest beside the esophagus. These hernias remain in the chest at all times. With this type of hernia, complications can occur.

How To Live With a Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and up into the chest. This opening is called the esophageal hiatus or diaphragmatic hiatus. If you've been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, you'll need to know how to live with it.

Hiatal Hernia and GERD

Some people suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease because they have a hiatal hernia. Learn what a hiatal hernia is.

Hiatal Hernia FAQ

Some people suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because they have a hiatal hernia.
Explore Heartburn / GERD
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Heartburn / GERD
  4. Hiatal Hernia

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.