Hiatal hernia is a medical term used to describe the protrusion of your stomach from your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is the muscle whose opening prevents the contents of your stomach from backing up through your esophagus. When pressure and weakness occur, this opening, known as the esophageal hiatus, may allow your stomach to protrude, causing what is known as a hiatal hernia.
Causes
Narrowing down one specific cause of hiatal hernia is difficult. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hiatal hernias are normally a product of several factors, including pregnancy and rapid weight gain. Among the other causes are injury and birth defects of the esophageal hiatus. Being overweight strains your stomach and other organs, allowing your diaphragm to weaken and cause the hiatal hernia to form.
Symptoms
Heartburn is one of the main warning signs of a hiatal hernia. According to MedlinePlus, once your hiatal hernia has formed, stomach acid finds its way into your esophagus, leading to frequent heartburn and a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD. Individuals who are 50 years of age and older are at higher risk of developing hiatal hernia. Sufferers may experience trouble swallowing, bad breath and a dry cough, especially with GERD.
Treatment
Treating a hiatal hernia requires certain lifestyle changes and may also entail over-the-counter or prescription medications. According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, losing weight will help manage the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. In order to lose weight, it is important to monitor your eating habits and eat smaller, more frequent meals. Avoiding trigger foods such as overly seasoned foods and reducing or eliminating caffeine will also aid your weight loss efforts.
Considerations
Although losing weight does in fact help treat a hiatal hernia, sometimes you may still have difficulty. According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, individuals with larger hiatal hernias may suffer from chest pain, difficulty breathing and being unable to swallow. In these cases, emergency help is required and surgery may be the only option. There is no cure for a hiatal hernia; therefore, losing weight to control symptoms as well as taking any medications prescribed by your doctor will provide relief and help you cope with your condition more effectively.
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