Home > Diseases and Conditions > Hiatal hernia
Printer friendly viewPrint
Bookmark and Share

Recommended reading: Treatment Options for GERD or Acid Reflux Disease: A Review of the Research for Adults

This summary describes GERD and explains research about types of treatment. It also talks about what research has found about the benefits and risks of each treatment. It can help you talk with your doctor about GERD.

PubMed Health. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2011.

A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.

Hiatal hernia

Hernia - hiatal

Last reviewed: August 11, 2011.

Hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach sticks upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It is used in breathing.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause is unknown, but hiatal hernias may be due to a weakening of the supporting tissue. Increasing age, obesity, and smoking are known risk factors in adults.

Children with this condition are usually born with it (congenital). It often occurs with gastroesophageal reflux in infants.

Hiatal hernias are very common, especially in people over 50 years old. This condition may cause reflux (backflow) of gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

Symptoms

A hiatal hernia by itself rarely causes symptoms. Pain and discomfort are usually due to the reflux of gastric acid, air, or bile.

Signs and tests

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Reducing the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux) will relieve pain. Medications that neutralize stomach acid, decrease acid production, or strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle that prevents acid from backing up into the esphagus) may be prescribed.

Other measures to reduce symptoms include:

  • Avoiding large or heavy meals

  • Not lying down or bending over right after a meal

  • Reducing weight and not smoking

If these measures do not control the symptoms, or you have complications, you may need surgery to repair the hernia.

Expectations (prognosis)

Treatment can relieve most symptoms of hiatal hernia.

Complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

  • You have symptoms of a hiatal hernia

  • You have a hiatal hernia and your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop

Prevention

Controlling risk factors such as obesity may help prevent hiatal hernia.

References

  1. Richter JE, Friedenberg FK. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 43.

Review Date: 8/11/2011.

Reviewed by: George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsementscof those other sites. © 1997–2011 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2012, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Figures

  • Hiatal hernia - x-ray.
    Hiatal hernia.

Learn about...

  • Making smart health choices Making smart health choices
    Develop the skills to assess health advice and make better-informed decisions about your health and managing illness.

Drug of interest

  • Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide
    Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide are antacids used together to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. They may be used to treat these symptoms in patients with peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis, hiatal hernia, or too much acid in the stomach (gastric hyperacidity). They combine with stomach acid and neutralize it. Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide are available without a prescription. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Presentation

Read More

MedlinePlus.gov links to free, reliable, up-to-date health information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other trusted health organizations.

Recent activity

Clear Turn Off Turn On

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

See more...
You are here: NCBI > Literature > PubMed Health
Write to the Help Desk