Hiatus Hernia

Patient information leaflets
NHS Borders

NHS Borders 

Endoscopy Unit
Borders General Hospital

 telephone: 01896 826440

Working Hours 

Monday - Friday 08:00 to 18:00

For information in another format please call the unit.

"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."

Hiatus Hernia

A hiatus hernia is when part of your stomach bulges up) into the lower chest through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the two areas). Most people with a hiatus hernia do not have any symptoms or problems.

The hernia can make you more prone to reflux acid into your oesophagus (gullet) which can cause heartburn and other symptoms. If symptoms do occur, treatment with acid-suppressing medication usually works well.

Types of hiatus hernia:

  1. Sliding

This is the most common type of hernia. The sphincter between the  bottom of the oesophagus and top of the stomach protrudes through the opening in the diaphragm. The hernia may slide up and down, in and out of the lower chest. It is often quite small.

  1. Paraoesophageal (rolling)

This type of hernia is less common. Part of the stomach protrudes up through the opening in the diaphragm next to the oesophagus.

 

 

www.MedicalGraphics.de  license: CC BY-ND 4.0

Causes:

Most develop in people over the age of 50. It may be that the diaphragm weakens with age and allows part of the stomach to protrude through the opening in the diaphragm. Factors which increase the pressure in the abdomen such as regular coughing, weight lifting, or being overweight, may increase the risk of developing a hiatus hernia.

Common Symptoms:

  • acid reflux
  • heartburn
  • upper abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • acid taste in the mouth,
  • belching
  • regurgitation
  • dysphagia

Treatment:

  • antacids
  • acid supressing medication
  • lifestyle changes
  • surgery for severe symptoms, which are not helped with medication

Lifestyle Changes:

  • losing weight
  • eating slowly / chewing well
  • eating smaller meals more often than fewer larger meals
  • not eating late at night (last food 3-4 hours before bed)
  • stopping smoking
  • reducing alcohol intake
  • reducing caffeine intake
  • avoiding fizzy drinks
  • elevating the head of the bed
  • not wearing tight fitting clothes around your waist

Further Information

https://gutscharity.org.uk/

© NHS Borders

Types of Hiatus Hernia

A hiatus hernia is where part of the stomach pushes up into the lower chest through a defect in the diaphragm. Most people with a hiatus hernia do not have any symptoms or problems. However, the hernia makes you more prone to reflux acid into your oesophagus (gullet) which can cause heartburn and other symptoms. If symptoms do occur, treatment with acid-suppressing medication usually works well.

1. Sliding Hiatus Hernia

Is the most common type. In this situation, the sphincter at the bottom of the oesophagus and the top of the stomach protrudes through the opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm. The hernia may slide up and down, in and out of the lower chest. It is often quite small.

2. Paraoesophageal (Rolling) Hiatus Hernia

Is less common. In this situation, part of the stomach protrudes up through the opening in the diaphragm next to the oesophagus.

Causes Hiatus Hernia

Most develop in people over the age of 50. It may be that the diaphragm weakens with age and allows part of the stomach to protrude through the opening in the diaphragm. Factors which increase the pressure in the abdomen such as regular coughing, weight lifting, or being overweight, may increase the risk of developing a hiatus hernia.

Common Symptoms

  •  Acid Reflux
  • Heartburn
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Acid taste in the mouth,
  • Belching
  • Regurgitation
  • Dysphagia

Treatment

Treatment:

  • Antacids
  • Acid supressing medication
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Surgery for severe symptoms, which are not helped with medication.

Lifestyle Changes:

  • Losing weight
  • Eating slowly / chewing well
  • Eating smaller meals more often than fewer larger meals
  • Not eating late at night (last food 3-4 hours before bed)
  • Stop smoking
  • Reduce alcohol intake
  • Reduce caffeine intake
  • Avoiding fizzy drinks
  • Elevating the head of the bed

Don’t wear tight fitting clothes around your waist.

Further Information:

https://gutscharity.org.uk/

Editorial Information

Next review date: 29/02/2028

Author(s): Clifford G.

Version: 1.0

Approved By: Acute Clinical Governance Board

Reviewer name(s): Graham K.