What Is a Sliding Hiatal Hernia?
A sliding hiatal hernia is a type of hernia in which part of the stomach, along with the gastroesopahgeal junction, protrudes up through the hiatus, the hole in the diaphragm which allows the esophagus to connect with the stomach. Normally, the diaphragm separates the contents of the chest from the contents of the abdomen, but in a hiatal hernia, the stomach intrudes into the chest cavity. This condition is actually extremely common, and many people have it and experience no symptoms. For people who do experience symptoms, there are some treatment options available.
A sliding hiatal hernia is a type of hernia in which part of the stomach, along with the gastroesopahgeal junction, protrudes up through the hiatus, the hole in the diaphragm which allows the esophagus to connect with the stomach. Normally, the diaphragm separates the contents of the chest from the contents of the abdomen, but in a hiatal hernia, the stomach intrudes into the chest cavity. This condition is actually extremely common, and many people have it and experience no symptoms. For people who do experience symptoms, there are some treatment options available. Most commonly, people with a sliding hiatal hernia experience some heartburn and they may also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In some patients, the stomach is permanently herniated into the chest, while in others, the stomach is pulled up through the hiatus when the patient swallows and the muscles contract. The condition is known as a “sliding” hiatal hernia because the stomach literally slides up through the
