What is a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia occurs when your stomach begins slipping upward into your chest. It is a common finding in adults and may cause no symptoms at all. Sometimes, however, a hiatal hernia is associated with a weakness in the lower esophageal valve and can worsen symptoms of acid reflux, or GERD. The diaphragm is a tough flat muscular membrane that separates the chest from the abdomen. The entire stomach is normally in the abdomen, below the diaphragm. To connect with the stomach, the esophagus continues down the middle of the chest and passes through a hole in the diaphragm called the hiatus. Sometimes the hiatus weakens and opens up. This allows the esophagus to “pull the stomach up” into the chest cavity. Since part of the stomach herniates, or pushes through the opening, this condition has been termed a hiatal hernia. Sometimes the hernia allows the stomach to slip up into the chest on one day and back down into the abdomen on the next day. This is called a sliding hiatal hernia. When t
It simply means that your stomach organ is slipping upward into your chest. The diaphragm is a tough flat muscular membrane that separates your chest from your abdomen. Your stomach organ is normally all below the diaphragm in the abdomen. To connect with your stomach organ, your esophagus must come down the middle of your chest and pass through a hole in the diaphragm called the hiatus. In simple terms, some people’s hiatus weakens and opens up. This allows the esophagus to “pull the stomach up” into the chest cavity. Since part of the stomach herniates, or pushes through the opening, this condition has been termed a Hiatal Hernia. A hiatal hernia is a common finding in adults and may cause no symptoms at all. Sometimes it is associated with a weakness in the lower esophageal valve and can worsen symptoms of acid reflux, or GERD. Some slip up into the chest one day and back down into the abdomen another. This is called a sliding hiatal hernia. When they become large and permanently st
It simply means that your stomach organ is slipping upward into your chest. The diaphragm is a tough flat muscular membrane that separates your chest from your abdomen. Your stomach is normally all below the diaphragm in the abdomen. To connect with your stomach, your esophagus must come down the middle of your chest and pass through a hole in the diaphragm called the hiatus. In simple terms, some people’s hiatus weakens and opens up. Since part of the stomach herniates, or pushes through the opening, this condition has been termed a Hiatal Hernia. A hiatal hernia is a common finding in adults and may cause no symptoms at all. Sometimes it is associated with a weakness in the lower esophageal valve and can worsen symptoms of acid reflux, or GERD. Some slip up into the chest one day and back down into the abdomen another. This is called a sliding hiatal hernia. When they become large and permanently stuck above the diaphragm, they are called a fixed hiatal hernia.
