Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisWhen It’s an EmergencyNonsurgical Treatment OptionsSurgeryComplicationsWhen to Seek CareNext in Hiatal Hernia GuideWhen is Hiatal Hernia Life-Threatening?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
When It’s an Emergency
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Surgery
Complications
When to Seek Care
Next in Hiatal Hernia Guide
Ahiatal hernia, orhiatus hernia,occurs when the topmost part of your stomach pushes through the small opening in the diaphragm. This opening, known as the hiatus, is a muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest.
The cause isn’t always clear, but common causes include being born with a larger-than-average hiatus, injury or trauma to the area, having obesity, and persistent or excessive pressure on the muscles that can lead to muscle weakening.Hiatal hernias often do not cause symptoms.
In this article, you’ll learn more about what causes hiatal hernias, symptoms to watch for, how diagnosis works, and what treatment options are available for someone with a hiatal hernia. You’ll also learn what complications can occur and get a sense of what to expect during recovery.
urbazon / Getty Images
What Causes Hiatal Hernias?
While it’s not exactly clear what causes a hiatal hernia, there are several possible explanations. The main reasons why someone may experience thistype of herniaare as follows:
Localized Pressure
Different Types of Hernia in Men
Other Causes and Risk Factors
Anyone can have a hiatal hernia, although they are more common in certain people, including:
Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia
Symptoms of hiatal herniaare not always present or obvious. This means many people who have hiatal hernias never experience signs and symptoms. When symptoms do present, they may be very similar to symptoms ofgastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). GERD is a chronic digestive upset disorder.
The Connection Between Hiatal Hernia and GERDWhile it’s common for someone with a hiatal hernia also to have GERD, it’s not always the case. These two disorders do not cause each other. However, it’s common for the two conditions to be present together as they both concern the digestive system.
The Connection Between Hiatal Hernia and GERD
While it’s common for someone with a hiatal hernia also to have GERD, it’s not always the case. These two disorders do not cause each other. However, it’s common for the two conditions to be present together as they both concern the digestive system.
GERD symptoms include:
Chest pains can also signal a heart attack. If you or someone you care for is experiencing chest pains, it’s important not to assume it’s GERD or a hiatal hernia. You should contact your healthcare provider about ongoing chest pains. Get to the closest emergency room if you’re experiencing chest pains for any reason.
Diagnosing a Hiatal Hernia
There are specific tests that can help your healthcare providerdiagnose a hiatal hernia. Diagnostic tests for hiatal hernias include:
What Is a Barium Enema?
When Is a Hiatal Hernia a Medical Emergency?
In most cases, a hiatal hernia isn’t a medical emergency. You should seek immediate medical emergency care, however, if the following occurs:
Some symptoms are also signs of potentially life-threatening hernia-related complications like strangulated hernia (blood flow is cut off to the stomach) or other health concerns like heart problems or peptic ulcers.While they’re not common, these symptoms should always be met with seriousness.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
Most cases of hiatal hernia won’t require treatment. When symptoms are present, nonsurgical treatments include medications as well as lifestyle changes including diet modifications.
Medication
Medication for hiatal hernias is geared toward reducing symptoms of excessive stomach acid or acid reflux. Over-the-counter (OTC) antacids are the most common option for acid reflux. Taking H2-blockers like Pepcid AC or Zantac may also be recommended.
Diet
Dietary changes can be particularly useful in helping manage or reduce symptoms of hiatal hernia. Changes you can make include:
Surgery on Hiatal Hernia
Surgical options for hiatal hernias are also available, and are typically used if other treatment methods haven’t worked. There are severaltypes of surgeries for treating hiatal hernias. Which surgery is most appropriate will depend on several factors including the stage or size of your hiatal hernia.
Surgical options for hiatal hernia include:
Herniorrhaphy: What to Expect with Hernia Repair Surgery
Recovery
Recovery time after surgery for hiatal hernia depends on the method used. Some surgeries are performed through an incision in your abdomen (an open repair); others are performed through several small cuts in your abdomen and using a thin tube with a camera (laparoscopic surgery).
Laparoscopy has a shorter recovery time since it is a less-invasive procedure carrying less risk of infection, pain, and scarring.
What to ExpectYou can expect surgery for hiatal hernia to last two to three hours.Recovery time in hospital can range between one and three days. You may be required to follow a soft or liquid diet and avoid carbonated beverages in the weeks after surgery. You may have reduced appetite and diarrhea for the first few days.
What to Expect
You can expect surgery for hiatal hernia to last two to three hours.Recovery time in hospital can range between one and three days. You may be required to follow a soft or liquid diet and avoid carbonated beverages in the weeks after surgery. You may have reduced appetite and diarrhea for the first few days.
Complications of Hiatal Hernia
Complications associated with hiatal hernias are rare. You’re much more likely to experience complications associated withparaesophageal herniasor, which is when the esophagus or parts of the stomach or other organs move up into the chest cavity.
Nonetheless, if you experience chest pains with hiatal hernia, contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate emergency medical support to avoid potential complications like blood flow restriction.
When to Seek Care for Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia may require medical care if symptoms get progressively worse or are persistent and ongoing despite your efforts to reduce symptoms at home. You should seek care for a hiatal hernia if you are experiencing any symptoms (even if they are not chronic or consistent).
Since many cases of hiatal hernia present without symptoms, you should also be aware of GERD symptoms as they may be related to a hiatal hernia.
Summary
A hiatal hernia is when part of the stomach pushes through the hiatus, separating the abdomen from the stomach. They may or may not have noticeable symptoms. If symptoms are present, they are similar to acid reflux. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications and/or surgery where necessary. Complications are rare.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hiatal hernia.Cedars Sinai.Hiatal hernia.National Health Service.Hiatus hernia.Penn Medicine.Hitatal hernia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms.Kahrilas PJ, Kim HC, Pandolfino JE.Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of hiatal hernia.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol.2008;22(4):601-16. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2007.12.007Oppenheimer EE, Schmit B, Sarosi GA, Thomas RM.Proton pump inhibitor use after hiatal hernia repair: inhibitor of recurrent symptoms and potential revisional surgery.Journal of Surgical Research. 2020;256:570-576. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.07.033Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: an update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323O’Connor SC, Mallard M, Desai SS, et al.Robotic versus laparoscopic approach to hiatal hernia repair: Results after 7 years of robotic experience [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 18].Am Surg. 2020;3134820943547. doi:10.1177/0003134820943547
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hiatal hernia.Cedars Sinai.Hiatal hernia.National Health Service.Hiatus hernia.Penn Medicine.Hitatal hernia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms.Kahrilas PJ, Kim HC, Pandolfino JE.Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of hiatal hernia.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol.2008;22(4):601-16. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2007.12.007Oppenheimer EE, Schmit B, Sarosi GA, Thomas RM.Proton pump inhibitor use after hiatal hernia repair: inhibitor of recurrent symptoms and potential revisional surgery.Journal of Surgical Research. 2020;256:570-576. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.07.033Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: an update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323O’Connor SC, Mallard M, Desai SS, et al.Robotic versus laparoscopic approach to hiatal hernia repair: Results after 7 years of robotic experience [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 18].Am Surg. 2020;3134820943547. doi:10.1177/0003134820943547
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hiatal hernia.Cedars Sinai.Hiatal hernia.National Health Service.Hiatus hernia.Penn Medicine.Hitatal hernia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms.Kahrilas PJ, Kim HC, Pandolfino JE.Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of hiatal hernia.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol.2008;22(4):601-16. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2007.12.007Oppenheimer EE, Schmit B, Sarosi GA, Thomas RM.Proton pump inhibitor use after hiatal hernia repair: inhibitor of recurrent symptoms and potential revisional surgery.Journal of Surgical Research. 2020;256:570-576. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.07.033Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: an update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323O’Connor SC, Mallard M, Desai SS, et al.Robotic versus laparoscopic approach to hiatal hernia repair: Results after 7 years of robotic experience [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 18].Am Surg. 2020;3134820943547. doi:10.1177/0003134820943547
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hiatal hernia.
Cedars Sinai.Hiatal hernia.
National Health Service.Hiatus hernia.
Penn Medicine.Hitatal hernia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms.
Kahrilas PJ, Kim HC, Pandolfino JE.Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of hiatal hernia.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol.2008;22(4):601-16. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2007.12.007
Oppenheimer EE, Schmit B, Sarosi GA, Thomas RM.Proton pump inhibitor use after hiatal hernia repair: inhibitor of recurrent symptoms and potential revisional surgery.Journal of Surgical Research. 2020;256:570-576. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.07.033
Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: an update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323
O’Connor SC, Mallard M, Desai SS, et al.Robotic versus laparoscopic approach to hiatal hernia repair: Results after 7 years of robotic experience [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 18].Am Surg. 2020;3134820943547. doi:10.1177/0003134820943547
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
