What Causes a Hiatal Hernia to Flare Up?
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What Causes a Hiatal Hernia to Flare Up?
A hiatal hernia, sometimes called 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 notice periods where symptoms become more uncomfortable or more frequent.
Understanding what can trigger a flare up can help reduce irritation and improve day-to-day comfort.
What Is a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia develops when part of the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm where the oesophagus passes into the stomach. This opening is known as the hiatus.
In many cases, symptoms are linked to the way the hernia affects the lower oesophageal sphincter. This valve normally helps prevent stomach acid from travelling back up into the oesophagus. When it becomes weaker or disrupted, acid reflux and irritation can occur.
Common Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
Not everyone with a hiatal hernia experiences symptoms. However, common symptoms can include:
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Chest discomfort
- A sour taste in the mouth
- Bloating after eating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Frequent burping
Symptoms may come and go, but certain triggers can cause them to flare up more often.
What Can Cause a Hiatal Hernia to Flare Up?
- Large Meals: Eating large meals can place extra pressure on the stomach and diaphragm, increasing acid reflux and irritation. Many people find it helps to eat smaller meals more regularly.
- Eating Too Late at Night: Lying down soon after eating can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Eating earlier in the evening and avoiding heavy meals before bed may help reduce flare ups.
- Certain Foods and Drinks: Some foods and drinks can increase stomach acid or relax the oesophageal sphincter, including:
- Spicy foods
- Fatty meals
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Fizzy drinks
- Spicy foods
- Excess Weight: Excess abdominal pressure is a common risk factor for worsening hiatus hernia symptoms. For some people, losing weight can help improve symptoms over the long term.
- Straining and Heavy Lifting: Activities that increase pressure inside the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, straining or persistent coughing, can aggravate a hiatal hernia.
- Poor Sleeping Position: Night-time reflux symptoms are common. Raising the head of the bed slightly may help reduce stomach acid travelling upward during sleep.
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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.
Can Symptoms Improve Without Surgery?
Many patients can improve symptoms through lifestyle changes and medication. Eating smaller frequent meals, avoiding trigger foods and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce acid reflux and discomfort.
However, a hiatal hernia does not resolve on its own. Symptoms that become severe, persistent or difficult to control may require specialist assessment and, in some cases, hernia surgery.
When Is Hernia Surgery Considered?
In some cases, hernia surgery may be recommended, particularly if symptoms significantly affect quality of life or complications develop.
Specialist assessment can help determine the most appropriate treatment approach depending on the size of the hiatal hernia and the severity of symptoms.
Final Thoughts
A hiatal hernia flare up is often linked to pressure on the stomach, acid reflux or irritation of the oesophagus. While symptoms can often be improved through lifestyle changes, persistent discomfort should not be ignored.
At The British Hernia Centre, patients are assessed by experienced specialists who understand the different factors that can contribute to hiatus hernia symptoms and long-term reflux problems.
Understanding your triggers and seeking specialist advice when needed can help improve symptoms and quality of life over the long term.