What are the signs and symptoms of Hiatal Hernia?
A sliding hiatal hernia may cause only mild, if any, symptoms. The most common symptom is heartburn. The para-esophageal hiatal hernia may produce no symptoms because the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is not displaced. However, should the stomach get pulled higher into the chest and become pinched by the diaphragm, an emergency situation called “strangulation” may result requiring immediate surgery. Both the sliding and the paraesophageal hiatal hernias may, on rare occasion bleed from their lining.
