Hiatal Hernia
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Understanding Hiatal Hernia Symptoms and Treatment
A hiatal hernia, also known as a hiatus hernia, occurs when part of the stomach moves upward through the diaphragm and into the chest.
Some people experience very few symptoms, while others develop ongoing digestive discomfort linked to acid reflux and irritation of the oesophagus. Symptoms can range from mild heartburn to more persistent reflux problems affecting daily life.
Symptoms of Hiatus Hernias
Symptoms can vary depending on the size of the hernia and the degree of acid reflux. Common hernia symptoms include:
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Chest discomfort after eating
- A sour taste in the mouth
- Bloating or burping
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain that worsens when lying down
Some patients may also develop gastro oesophageal reflux disease GORD (also known as GERD) due to ongoing reflux irritation.
What Can Make Symptoms Worse?
Hiatal hernia symptoms are often linked to increased pressure on the stomach or worsening acid reflux.
Symptoms may become more noticeable after heavy meals, lying down too soon after eating or consuming foods and drinks that trigger reflux, such as alcohol, caffeine or spicy foods.
Excess weight can also place additional pressure on the stomach and diaphragm. For some patients, eating smaller meals more regularly and losing weight may help improve symptoms over the long term.
Long term acid reflux associated with a hiatal hernia can sometimes damage the lungs and teeth and may lead to changes in the oesophagus that increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.
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How we've helped make a difference
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We all inherit an anatomical weakness as part of the design of the human body and are thus susceptible to hernias.
Most hernias around the world are repaired by general surgeons as just one of the list of procedures they perform. Hernia is not a subject that has attracted enough interest generally to make it a specialised area. The slow development of modern hernia techniques is a result. We feel that hernia needs specialisation.
See also, why a specialist hernia centre.
The easiest way to compare is to start with these simple questions. For example,
How many tens of thousands of hernia cases has your surgeon and his team performed? (Always ask that question) Is it done routinely under just local anaesthesia? Will you need overnight hospital admission at all? Will you be able to return to work and normal activities in the same amount of time? Are the risks of recurrence anything like the same? Do they have a 100% safety record and ZERO MRSA?
The bulge is a very common symptom of hernia, but not all hernias have bulges…and not all groin pain is hernia.
To find out with more certainty in cases that are difficult to distinguish, you should be seen by a hernia specialist. For more information on confusing cases of groin injury click the link to Sport, Groin Pain and Hernia.
Traditionally (using previous techniques) many hernia repairs fail (recur) and they tend to fare even worse when they get repaired again. The failure rate is thought to double with each subsequent attempt.
Happily we have an established track record in repairing recurrent hernias and are repairs are as reliable as primary (first time) repairs. The risks of recurrence are an insignificant fraction of one percent.
See the page specifically on Recurrent Hernia.
Most hernias, if not treated, do nothing more than get bigger. However, hernias can get very painful, often without warning and at their worst can strangulate, which can demand an ambulance and immediate emergency surgery or the consequences could be extreme.
Hiatal Hernia Treatments
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the effect on quality of life. Many patients improve with lifestyle changes and medication designed to reduce stomach acid and reflux symptoms.
However, when symptoms become persistent or difficult to control, specialist assessment may be recommended to discuss further hernia treatments, including hernia surgery in selected cases. At The British Hernia Centre, treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient and the severity of their symptoms.
Arrange a Consultation
We provide specialist assessment and treatment for patients with hiatal hernia and reflux symptoms.
During consultation we can:
- Assess your symptoms
- Discuss appropriate investigations
- Explain treatment options
- Advise whether surgery may be beneficial
Contact The British Hernia Centre to arrange a consultation with a specialist hernia surgeon.