Hernia is a condition in which any internal organ of the body pushes itself exceeding its original area. Hiatus is a small muscular portion of opening through which the food tube or esophagus opens up to the stomach. Hiatal hernia or hiatus hernia is the condition in which the part of the stomach pushes itself into the chest area through the hiatus. Mild to moderate cases of hiatal hernia does not cause any problem.
There are many people who may not even know that they have hiatus hernia unless they are tested for other causes. However a large hiatal hernia is problematic since it will allow food particles and stomach acids into the esophagus causing heartburn affecting the quality of life.
Symptoms Of Hiatal Hernia :
Many people may not have any symptoms of hiatal hernia and may not even know about it until it was diagnosed later. Some of them may have symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux and other symptoms of GERD. It is not necessary that every person having GERD will develop hiatal hernia. These two are not connected in any way. The signs of heartburn may produce sharp chest pain and can be confused for heart attack. It is the large hiatal hernias that cause symptoms like heartburn and belching. Some people may have difficulty in swallowing food.
Hiatal Hernia Causes :
Exact reason for the entry of part of stomach through the hiatus is not known. Some believe it is due to the weakening of muscles of the diaphragm which allows the bulging stomach through the tiny opening into the chest.
- Extreme pressure on the stomach may force its way into the hiatal opening.
- Any trauma or accidental injury to the hiatus area can weaken it causing hiatal hernia.
- When there is continuous pressure on the surrounding muscles due to repeated coughing or vomiting it would weaken the hiatus causing hiatal hernia.
- Some people are born with large sized hiatus which can easy give way for bulging of stomach region into the esophagus.
- If the attachment muscle is abnormally loose then it would give entry for the stomach to exert upwards.
Types :