The esophagus passes from the chest cavity into the abdominal cavity by perforating the diaphragm. If there is an enlargement at this opening where it passes through the diaphragm, the esophagus cannot stay there and becomes free. Since the pressure in the chest cavity is less than the pressure in the abdominal cavity, this enlargement causes the stomach to move upwards. This displacement of the stomach from the diaphragm into the chest cavity is called a hiatal hernia. The importance of this condition lies in the fact that it causes reflux disease because the valve system between the esophagus and the stomach is damaged.
Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia
If a hiatal hernia causes reflux, the patient will experience reflux symptoms. These include:
- Burning in the chest,
- Bitter and sour liquid coming into the mouth,
- Bloating,
- Food particles coming into the mouth,
In sliding type hiatal hernias, the following symptoms may be present:
- Feeling of tightness in the chest,
- Palpitations,
- Chest pain as if having a heart attack,
- Cough,
- Sore throat,
Causes of Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia usually occurs due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. For example, hiatal hernia is common in obese people and pregnant women. The most important factors that increase intra-abdominal pressure are sneezing, coughing, constipation, and weight.
Hinatal Hernia Treatment
There are two ways to treat hiatal hernia: medical (drug) and surgical treatment. Depending on the degree of the disease and the patient’s complaints, a non-surgical method may be used. Hinatal hernia surgery is performed using a closed surgical method called laparoscopic surgery. The abdominal skin is not cut; the repair is performed under imaging guidance by inserting instruments the size of a pen. The aim of the surgery is to close the loosened and widened diaphragm opening by suturing it.
