What is Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach pushes up abnormally through an opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through. This diaphragm, or muscular wall is called hiatus and divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When this opening becomes weak and stretched, allows a portion of the stomach to bulge through into the chest cavity, the condition is referred to as a hiatal hernia. This is actually a very common anomaly specially in older people and often does not cause any discomfort or unusual symptoms and usually requires no treatment. It is sometimes caused by severe coughing, vomiting, sudden physical exertion or straining . Pregnancy or Obesity may also increase the chance of hiatal hernia.

The presence of a hiatal hernia does not necessarily mean that surgery should be performed.

In some people a hiatal hernia can contribute to a weak LES, which permits backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, making symptoms of heartburn and GERD worse. Therefore, all of the treatments advised to relieve heartburn can also be applied when hiatal hernia produces symptoms.

The recent studies reveals that people with hiatal hernia may not have acid reflux disease but those patients who have both hiatal hernia and acid reflux disease usually experience a more severe symptoms.

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