Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health
Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health

Sliding Hiatus Hernia (Hiatal Hernia Syndrome)

What is a hernia?

Hiatus Hernia (hiatal hernia)

Sliding hiatus hernia, also known as hiatal hernia syndrome

Symptoms of hiatal hernia syndrome/hiatus hernia

Causes of hiatal hernia syndrome/hiatus hernia

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for hiatal hernia syndrome/hiatus hernia

References

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when an organ such as the intestine or stomach protrudes through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Hernias can occur in different parts of the body but most commonly involve the abdomen, and more specifically, the groin (about 27% of males and 3% of females develop a groin hernia at some time in their life.) A bulging area may occur that becomes larger when weight bears down on it.

Hernias my cause pain or discomfort especially with coughing, exercise or going to the toilet. Often the pain gets worse through the day and improves when lying down. However, about a third of people who have a hernia experience no symptoms.

Strangulation occurs when a blood vessel, nerve or other structure is blocked. This usually produces severe pain and tenderness in the area, and needs urgent medical attention.

Risk factors for the development of a hernia include: medical intrusions into the abdomen such as surgery or peritoneal dialysis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; obesity; pregnancy; smoking and collagen vascular disease. Hernias are partly genetic and occur more often in some families.

Hernias are usually diagnosed from their symptoms, but if surgery is going to be done then medical imaging or an endoscopy may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes.

Hiatus Hernia (hiatal hernia)

A hiatus hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach and/or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) protrudes up into the thorax through a gap caused by a tear or weakness in the thoracic diaphragm. The protrusion is through the esophageal hiatus, a hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus and the vagus nerve pass.

About 60% of people aged 50 or older have a hiatal hernia. However, only about 9% of them show consistent symptoms of heartburn, chest pain or pain with eating. (1) About 95% of all cases of hiatal hernia are sliding hiatal hernia, with inconsistent symptoms. People of any age can get this ailment, but it is more common in older people.

The diagnosis of hiatus hernias is often by endoscopy.

Sliding hiatus hernia, also known as hiatal hernia syndrome

Sliding hiatus hernia occurs when on occasions the stomach and/or the LES slides up through this gap in thoracic diaphragm and then slides back down again. Some health professionals call it a "great masquerade" because it causes a wide variety of non-specific symptoms and can be confused with a number of other ailments.

Hiatal hernia syndrome causes many different symptoms because it can pinch the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a major nerve which affects many organs and systems.

Symptoms of hiatal hernia syndrome/hiatus hernia

Causes of hiatal hernia syndrome/hiatus hernia

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for hiatal hernia syndrome/hiatus hernia

If you use any of these remedies, please come back next week (or whenever you have an outcome) and let us know about your experience. Please leave a comment as many people are interested.

See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.

References

1. Goyal Raj K. Diseases of the Esophagus. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e, Chapter 286.