What are the Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia?

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomachrefluxing from the stomach into the esophagus.
bulges upward out of your belly and into your chestAdditionally, it is known that patients with GERD are
cavity.much more likely to have a hiatal hernia than individuals
There are three main types of hiatal hernia: sliding,not afflicted by GERD. Thus, it is clear that hiatal
paraesophageal, and mixed. A sliding hiatal hernia is thehernias contribute to GERD.
most common type and is generally not a seriousHiatal hernias occur when part of the stomach
condition. Paraesophageal and mixed hiatal herniasprotrudes into the diaphragm, causing a tear in the
may progress and are more serious.muscle. A small bulge, or tenderness may ensue, or
Hiatal Hernia Symptomsthe hernia may not cause troublesome symptoms. In
Midlife spread may be partly to blame – in fact, Ifact, many people do not know they have a hernia,
think it plays a major role. Consider this: Theaverageuntil symptoms develop. One of the most troublesome
woman gains about a pound a year from agesymptoms of hiatal hernia is pain, and acid reflux, or
twenty-five onward. This means by yourmid-forties,Gerd. This is a controversial subject, because there
you could be sporting twenty extra pounds. What’shas not been direct proof that hiatal hernias are the
more, as you get older, your bodyfat tends to shiftcause of reflux, but they are considered a culprit
from your hips and thighs to your belly. Excess bellybehind the disease, especially if the hernia is large, say
fat may increase pressure onyour LES, increasingfive centimeters or more, and if conventional acid
reflux episodes and putting you at greater riskreflux treatment doesn't work.
developing some hiatalhernia symptoms. The rise inKnowing the common cause of hernias symptoms
obesity may also be responsible for the increase incan be advantage to everybody as it can help if it is
GERD inchildren. Childhood obesity in the United Statesthe beginning to save more pain and surgery. Hernias
has reached epidemic proportions, andare located in areas of our abdomen and mostly
todaygastroenterologists prescribe more reflulocated in our groin area. The pain in our abdomen will
medications for childhood GERD than ever before.give a tearing sensation in our stomach and always
Belchingappears like swelling as our abdominal wall become
Heartburn, worse when bending over or lying downweaken. The symptom of the first hernais are always
Swallowing difficultychest painpain in the abdomen area with tearing sensation, feeling
The vast majority of hiatal hernias are of the slidingfull all the times and bulging.
type, and most of them are not associated withThe most common hiatal hernias are the sliding hernias.
symptoms. The larger the hernia, the more likely it is toThese are not that dangerous, one of their bad
cause symptoms. When sliding hiatal hernias producesymptoms is reflux esophagitis, which was noticed in
symptoms, they almost always are those ofany people that suffer from hiatal hernia. Some of
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or itsthem were also affected by Barrett's esophagus
complications. This occurs because the formation ofbecause of the hernia. Barrett's esophagus may
the hernia often interferes with the barrier (lowerpresent dysphagia or reflux symptoms.
esophageal sphincter) which prevents acid from