Hiatal Hernia

WHAT IS AN HIATAL HERNIA?

A hiatal hernia or hiatus hernia is a problem that affects a part of the stomach and expands through a cleft located in the diaphragm. It is not known why this type of hernia, the reason could be due the support tissue and this risk increases with factors such as smoking, being overweight, the age. Hiatus hernias are a common condition, but it is more common in people over 50. Having hiatal hernia can cause gastric acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. When this condition is suffered by children is congenital and regularly is with gastroesophageal reflux in babies.

Symptoms

Pyrosis: Burning in the pit of the stomach and it’s worse by lying down or stooping.
Chest Pain: Chest pain when the burning reaches high areas of the esophagus, can be confused with chest pain, lungs or heart.
Difficulty to swallow food: As the gastrointestinal system is not in optimal conditions, this symptom may appear due to the dislocation of gastrointestinal structures.

A hiatus hernia rarely produces symptoms, discomfort and pain are due to gas, bile, or gastric acid reflux.

Diagnosis

Esophagography: This is a series of x-rays to study the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: It is an endoscopy that is done by means of a small chamber that is introduced by the throat. To examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.

Treatment

The purpose of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications, can change the patient’s habits in their lifestyle, prescribe drugs to control the stomach, medicine to strengthen the muscles in the lower esophagus and thus prevent the acid Return Symptoms can be regularly improved with treatment, although there are cases that may require surgery, if patients do not respond to treatment.

Complications such as slow bleeding and anemia, pulmonary aspiration, and strangulation or obstruction of the hernia may occur.

Consult your doctor if you have symptoms of hiatal hernia, remember that the sooner you have it checked, the less complicated and easier the solution will be.

Contact

  • Misión de Mulegé 3063, Suite 102 Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C.
  • MEX: (664) 900-7118
    USA: +1 (619) 270-5388
  • info@certifiedbariatricsurgeons.com
    info@drhuacuz.com
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