Welcome to Gastrodoxs! Do you live in Houston, and have heartburn, chest pain or difficulty swallowing? You're not alone.
Many people wonder "What's a hiatal hernia?"In this hiatal hernia guide we're going to tell you in layman's language. You'll know what does a hiatal hernia are, that hiatal hernia impacts digestion, what causes it and how to treat it. You'll also hear from Dr. Bharat Pothuri, our digestive health expert in the local area and find helpful links from trusted sources, like Mayo Clinic, and the NIH.
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes through that opening in your diaphragm (called your hiatus). Your diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest from your belly. The esophagus (food pipe) goes through the hiatus and connect to your stomach.
A sliding hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract has slid and both the stomach and lower part of the esophagus have slid down (slipped) into the chest.
"In sliding hernias", says Dr. Pothuri, "the area where the esophagus joints the stomach suddenly moves above the diaphragm. This is often what causes reflux and heartburn to occur".
It helps to have the help right at the earliest, you know the signs.
"As we get older we can have weakening of tissues", explains Dr. Pothuri. That makes it easier for the stomach to slip upwards.
A hiatal hernia changes the way that food and acid passes through your body.
When the stomach moves," says Dr. Pothuri, "it reduces the strength of the barrier to keep the acid in the place where it needs to be. That leads to irritation.
Your doctor also may suggest that you have these tests to confirm that you have a hiatal hernia:
These tests give us an indication of the size and type of hernia and the extent of the reflux damage present.
"A majority of the people feel better with simple changes," says Dr. Pothuri. "We really look only at surgery when other treatments are not working."
| Feature | Sliding Hiatal Hernia | Paraesophageal Hernia |
| Position | Stomach and esophagus slip up against side of esophagus | Stomach rolls over beside esophagus |
| How Common | Very common (90% of cases) | Less common (10%) |
| Symptoms | Heartburn (reflux) | Chest pain(pressure), fullness |
| Risk of Complication | Low | Higher(may hamper the flow of blood) |
| Treatment | Medications, diet | Surgery is often required |
Daily habits to help reduce your symptoms:
Houston's weather and food can be tough on people with reflux. Here are local tips:
"Hiatal hernias are very common says Dr. Pothuri. These are things that often cause reflux and chest discomfort, but we do have a lot of people who have mild cases of that. Real changes in diet and habits at the earliest possible time really can help. If you're not relieved of your symptoms visit with a GI doctor. We have lots of ways to help.
We hope this guide helped you understand what a hiatus hernia is, the effects it can have on your digestive health and essentially what to do next. If you're in Houston, and if you need help with hiatal hernia symptoms, then call Dr. Bharat Pothuri, and the team at Gastrodoxs. You do not have to live with discomfort get relief is not in your face.
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Lack of diaphragm strength, being over 60, being obese or heavy lifting.
Sliding hernias can often cause acid reflux/heartburn. A true diagnosis is made by an endoscopy or barium swallow.
Rarely. In children, it's usually the result of a congenital (birth) defect.
No. Most people start with lifestyle modifications and cutting back on drugs. Surgery is only used for severe or persistent cases.
Yes. Ginger tea, aloe vera juice and chewing gum will help relieve mild symptoms as it reduces acid.
Yes. Prolonged reflux may harm the lining of your esophagus and can make it difficult to swallow.
Absolutely. And even modest weight loss can help decrease abdominal pressure and reduce symptoms.
The hernia itself won't go away, but symptoms may get better with treatment.
Spicy, fatty, fried or highly acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus should be avoided.
For mild ones, an annual check up is generally sufficient. There may be more frequent visits required in severe and post-surgical cases.
