Hernia occurs when some organ or tissue is out of place. When some fatty tissue of the organ pushes through a small opening or a weak spot invading neighboring organ, it is described as hernia. There are many types of hernia based on the organ and tissue it has occurred. Inner groin hernia is known as inguinal hernia, incisional hernia occurs when fatty tissue pushes through the small opening where incision/cut is made during surgery, and femoral hernia occurs on the outer groin, and belly button hernia is described as umbilical hernia and upper stomach hernia is called as hiatal hernia.
Any deviation in the position of organs or group of tissues can create health problem. When part of the stomach tissues deviates from its original place and moves upward toward the diaphragm, it causes hiatal hernia. Diaphragm is a dome shaped organ (set of muscles) that plays a vital role in the process of respiration and breathing. The same diaphragm separates the stomach and abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. Hiatus is the term given for small opening of the diaphragm through which the esophagus (food pipe) passes before entering the stomach. Some part of the stomach pushes its way through hiatus opening to enter the diaphragm.
In most of the cases hiatus hernia do not cause any problem and you may not even know it. Many people come to know about this issue while examining and taking tests for other causes. In moderate cases hiatus hernia can cause heartburn and acidity since the food particles of the stomach can enter through the tube of the esophagus. Only in severe cases hiatus hernia needs surgical intervention.
Hiatal Hernia Types :
There are 3 major types of hernias namely sliding hiatus hernia, rolling hernia and mixed hernia.
1. Sliding Hiatus Hernia – Most of the cases of hiatal hernia belong to this category. The junction point of esophagus and stomach always move upward and downward between the abdominal cavity and thoracic cavity. This sliding movement of the junction can exert some pressure on the thoracic cavity thus loosening the sphincter muscles of the esophagus. On such cases the opening of the esophagus may not close properly thus allowing some part of the stomach tissue into the diaphragm causing sliding hiatus hernia.
2. Rolling Hernia – Also known as Type 2 hernia, rolling hiatal hernia is a rare phenomenon. Here a part of the stomach protrudes into the thoracic cavity leaving the gastroesophageal junction in the same position. Whenever there is a defect in the junction point or some weakening of muscles, the stomach tissues herniates (moves upwards) through this opening. Thoracic cavity also puts pressure on this protrusion adding more problems. Rolling hiatus hernia occurs only in 4 out of 100 people with hernia.