A hernia is when an internal body part pushes into a different part than where it normally belongs. The hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm, the large muscle that lies between your abdomen and chest. So, a hiatus hernia (more commonly known as hiatal hernia) occurs when part of your stomach moves up into your diaphragm to the chest region. For you to breath comfortably, your body uses the diaphragm.
A hiatal hernia mostly contains a variable portion of the stomach. It may also contain a transverse colon, omentum, small bowel, spleen or some combination of all the organs. A sac of peritoneum contains all the herniated contents.
Ideally, your stomach should be below the diaphragm. However, if you are suffering from hiatus hernia, then a portion of the stomach pushes up through an opening known as hiatus. People who are over 50 years are more venerable to this condition and it affects up to 60 percent of people by the time they reach 60 years old. People who are overweight and women are also at risk of having this condition as well. This is according to the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association.
The hiatal hernia is in two types known as sliding and paraesophageal.
The sliding hiatus hernia is the most common type and it occurs when the stomach and the section of the esophagus slides up into the chest through the hiatus. It tends to be small and may not require any form of treatment. This is because they don’t cause any symptoms and that means your life continues as usual.
However, if you are experiencing the symptoms of reflux, your doctor gives you a portion of a pump inhibitor to reduce acid production. You should also eliminate or better still limit the intake of beverages that contain acids such as orange juice, alcohol, coffee and certain foods such as fatty, acidic and spiced food.
It is also known as rolling hiatus hernia. Although paraesophageal hernia is not very common, it may be a cause for alarm. This is because when the esophagus, a hollow tube leading to the throat, and the stomach stay in their normal locations, a part of the stomach squeezes through the hiatus and it ends up landing next to esophagus. You can stay with this type of hernia without even having any symptoms but the problem comes in if the blood flowing into your stomach is blocked. That is quite serious and can warrant a medical emergency.
Mostly, there are people with hiatal hernia and they don’t know about it because it doesn’t cause them any problem or discomfort. In fact, your hiatus hernia may be discovered by chance when you are having a test for something else. However, if you are the unlucky one, then you may be affected. You should plan for a doctor’s visit if you experience a painful burning feeling in your chest especially after having your meals. This feeling…
