The diaphragm is made of connective tissue and muscle tissue. It separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity, which contains the lungs and the heart. The esophagus normally passes through the diaphragm from the chest cavity to the stomach in the abdominal cavity.
Part of the stomach in the hiatus hernia crosses improperly into the chest cavity, where this passage is made through the opening that the esophagus is supposed to pass only. Often the hernia is small and does not cause any problems, and the doctor discovers it in this situation by chance as it is not possible to feel to absolutely.
However, if the hernia is large, it can cause stomach contents to go back up into the esophagus, resulting in a burning sensation and chest pain.
Large hiatal hernias are treated with medication or by surgery, depending on the size of the hernia and the extent of the disorder.
Hiatal hernia symptoms
Small hiatal hernias may not cause any symptoms, but large hiatal hernias may lead to some symptoms that, if one or more of them appear, it is advisable to consult a doctor, which include:
heartburn
hiccups
chest pain
nausea.
heartburn
Backflow of food or liquids into the mouth.
Stomach acid reflux into the esophagus.
Difficulty swallowing.
Pain in the chest or abdomen.
Feeling full soon after eating.
Shortness of breath.
Vomiting blood or passing black stools, which may indicate bleeding in the digestive system.
Hiatal hernia causes and risk factors
The following explains the causes and risk factors of hiatal hernia, which include the following:
1. Causes of hiatal hernia
A hernia forms when the opening in the diaphragm is wider than it would normally be. It may be wider from birth or as a result of:
Weakness of the muscle that makes up the opening through which the esophagus passes. When the muscle weakens, the opening expands, and the way becomes open for the stomach to pass through this opening into the chest cavity Muscle weakness may be caused by injury or it may be congenital as a result of genetic factors.
High pressure actuated on the muscle that makes up the opening where high pressure can lead to a situation in which the muscle cannot bear the pressure and as a result the stomach protrudes through it into the chest cavity, where the pressure in the abdominal cavity rises when coughing, vomiting, and in the case of active bowel movement, and lifting heavy objects .
Heartburn and hiatal hernia
2. Hiatal hernia risk factors
Hiatal hernias are more common in people who
Are over 50 years of age or older.
Obese people.
smokers.
Hiatal hernia complications
Complications include the following
burning sensation
Gastroesophageal reflux.
Ulcers in the esophagus.
A premalignant tumor has formed in the esophageal mucosa.
Hiatal hernia diagnosis
Diagnosis of a hiatal hernia begins when inquiring about the factors that cause heartburn, chest pain, or upper abdominal pain. The diagnosis is made by:
1. X-ray imaging
An imaging of the chest and upper abdomen is performed after swallowing barium, where the barium allows a clear view of the digestive system and thus it can be seen if part of the stomach ascends into the chest cavity, which indicates the presence of a hiatal hernia.
2. Gastroscopy
An examination in which a soft tube with a camera at the end is ed through the larynx and then into the esophagus and into the stomach. In this examination, it is possible to confirm the presence of inflammation in the esophagus as a result of heartburn, and it is also possible to confirm the presence of other disorders in these parts of the digestive system.
Hiatal hernia treatment
As mentioned above, most people who suffer from hiatal hernias do not have any symptoms and therefore no need for treatment, but in some cases treatment may include the following:
1. Antacid drugs
If there is reflux of stomach acids, heartburn medications such as antacids can be used, which are drugs that reduce acid production in the stomach, or drugs that completely block acid production. Usually, drug therapy is sufficient and no surgery is required.
2. Surgery
If these medicines do not help relieve the symptoms that the patient suffers from and the person still suffers from frequent heartburn, then surgery is needed. During the operation, the stomach is pulled back into the abdominal cavity and the diaphragm opening is reduced to prevent a recurrence of the hernia.
Hiatal hernia prevention
To prevent a hiatal hernia, do the following
Replacing large meals with more small ones.
Reducing the intake of foods that cause heartburn such as onions, tomatoes, spicy foods, fatty foods and sour fruits.
Reduce drinking alcohol.
Standing after a meal and as much as possible lying down for at least three hours after a meal.
Quit Smoking.
Raise the head of the bed.
Reducing psychological stress.
