What are the symptoms of a hiatus hernia?

Many cause no symptoms. When they do, the common ones are heartburn, acid reflux, an unpleasant taste, burping and discomfort after eating — essentially the symptoms of reflux, which the hernia makes more likely.

What causes a hiatus hernia?

The exact cause is often unclear. It becomes more common with age, and pressure on the tummy — from being overweight, pregnancy, heavy lifting or persistent coughing — can contribute.

How is a hiatus hernia treated?

Most are managed by treating the reflux — smaller meals, not eating late, losing excess weight, raising the head of the bed, and acid-reducing medicines. Surgery is reserved for the minority with severe symptoms or certain types of hernia.

Is a hiatus hernia dangerous?

Usually not — most are harmless and managed easily. Rarely, certain types can cause complications, which is why warning signs like difficulty swallowing, vomiting or bleeding should be checked promptly.

Hiatus hernia | HealthAnswers

Quick answer

What is hiatus hernia?

A hiatus hernia is when part of the stomach moves up into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. Many people have one without knowing. It often causes no symptoms, but it can contribute to heartburn and acid reflux, which are managed with lifestyle changes and medicines.

What is a hiatus hernia?

A hiatus hernia happens when part of the stomach squeezes up into the chest through an opening (the hiatus) in the diaphragm — the sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the tummy. It is common, especially with age, and many people have one without ever knowing.

Symptoms

A hiatus hernia itself often causes nothing. Its main effect is making acid reflux more likely, so symptoms are usually those of reflux:

heartburn — a burning feeling in the chest
acid or food coming back up
an unpleasant sour taste
burping, bloating or discomfort after meals

What causes it

Often there is no single cause. It becomes more common as we age, and anything that raises pressure in the tummy — excess weight, pregnancy, repeated heavy lifting or a persistent cough — can play a part.

How it is managed

Most hiatus hernias are managed by controlling reflux rather than fixing the hernia: eat smaller meals, avoid eating close to bedtime, cut back on trigger foods, alcohol and smoking, lose excess weight, and raise the head of the bed. Acid-reducing medicines from a pharmacist or GP help many people. Surgery is only considered for the small number with severe or complicated hernias.

When to get checked

See a GP for frequent reflux or heartburn lasting three weeks or more. Difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting or signs of bleeding need prompt assessment — and sudden severe chest pain should always be treated as a possible emergency.

Common questions

What are the symptoms of a hiatus hernia?: Many cause no symptoms. When they do, the common ones are heartburn, acid reflux, an unpleasant taste, burping and discomfort after eating — essentially the symptoms of reflux, which the hernia makes more likely.
What causes a hiatus hernia?: The exact cause is often unclear. It becomes more common with age, and pressure on the tummy — from being overweight, pregnancy, heavy lifting or persistent coughing — can contribute.
How is a hiatus hernia treated?: Most are managed by treating the reflux — smaller meals, not eating late, losing excess weight, raising the head of the bed, and acid-reducing medicines. Surgery is reserved for the minority with severe symptoms or certain types of hernia.
Is a hiatus hernia dangerous?: Usually not — most are harmless and managed easily. Rarely, certain types can cause complications, which is why warning signs like difficulty swallowing, vomiting or bleeding should be checked promptly.

Sources

NHS — Hiatus hernia