Signs and Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia

By now, we all know that hiatal hernia occurs when stomach pokes in esophageal hiatus and esophageal hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm through which esophagus enters the abdominal cavity.

At the esophagus end, there is a lower esophageal sphincter which acts as a valve to allow food to travel in one direction only. There is a second valve, which is esophageal hiatus, which is synchronized with the other valve, so as not to permit any back flow of the food from stomach.

Now, when the muscles gets weak and abdominal pressure increases beyond certain limit, the esophageal hiatus stretches to such an extent that the upper stomach will pass through it causing the hiatal hernia.

Early phase the hiatal hernia does not show any symptom, during medical check up, one may come to know. However, with the progressive increase of illness, symptoms stats showing like heartburn, epigastric pain and infections.

Paraesophageal hernia, on the other hand is more dangerous and life threatening. It will cause some incarcerations and severe epigastric pain because of strangulation. In rare cases, stomach strangulation may occur which becomes more complicated to deal.

The most common form of hernia is hiatal hernia. It is not that dangerous but there are some bad symptoms. Reflux esophagitis which may be noticed in any person suffering from hiatal hernia. Some of the person suffering from hiatal hernia may also affected by Barrett’s esophagitis. Barrett’s esophagitis may present dysphagia or reflux symptoms.

It is unfortunate that hiatal hernia has parsyntoms which is multi-factorial like peptic ulcer or esophygitis. Carcinoma may appear in extreme cases in hernia along with chest pain. It is generally advised by Doctors to hiatal hernia patients that they should loose weight and also wear loose clothes.