Acid reflux is among the digestive disorders that can hinder your daily routine. Consequently, individuals often link their acid reflux to their way of life, diet, and stress. But the root cause may be a hidden hiatal hernia. The connection between acid reflux and hiatal hernia should be recognized as a must because you cannot get permanent relief by treating either one. So, let’s find out if hiatal hernia and acid reflux are connected.
What Is A Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia is a health issue when a small section of the stomach moves upward into the chest area, passing through the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the biggest muscle that separates the chest and the stomach. There is a little opening in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus.
The esophagus is the tube that connects the stomach and the mouth. It passes through the narrow opening before reaching the stomach. In people with this hiatal hernia condition, the upper portion of their stomach bulges through the opening and into the cavity of the chest. Also, note that this condition is common among elderly adults.
What Are The Symptoms And Causes Of Hiatal Hernia?
In most cases, the small hiatal hernia symptoms are not noticeable. To be true, people might not be aware that they have a hernia until their doctor finds it while treating other conditions. But a large hiatus hernia causes the stomach and food acid to stay back in the esophagus, causing symptoms like
- Heartburn
- Passing black stools
- Nausea
- Blood vomit
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Feeling full soon after eating
- Regurgitating liquid and food
- Burping
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing
In certain cases, the bulge caused by paraesophageal hernias could make it visible from outside the body. If you are going through such symptoms, it is essential to look for prompt acid reflux treatment in Coimbatore, as persistent acid reflux can impair the esophagus.
Because once the hiatal hernia occurs, its symptoms only worsen as time passes. In other cases, the hiatal hernia can also pave the way to other complications like gastrointestinal issues, gastritis, and ischemia.
Risk Factors And Causes Of Hiatal Hernia
When the diaphragm becomes weakened, it will be easier for the stomach to bulge through the esophageal hiatus. The weakness in the diaphragm that results in a hiatal hernia can be due to:
- Persistent abdominal pressure (for instance, the pressure occurs when straining for a bowel movement, exercising, vomiting, lifting heavy objects, coughing, and sneezing).
- The natural aging process.
- An injury caused by a past surgery or sudden trauma.
- A congenital fault that makes the esophageal hiatus bigger than normal.
If you are pregnant, obese, or older than 50, you might be at risk of developing a hiatal hernia.
Are Acid Reflux And Hiatal Hernia Related?
Yes, both acid reflux and hiatal hernia are closely related. Hiatal hernia usually interrupts the usual function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is the tube that blocks the acids in the stomach from flowing back to the esophagus. When your stomach moves upwards through the diaphragm, the pressure balance in the chest and abdomen changes, enabling acid to flow easily. This results in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic acid reflux.
In simple terms, acid reflux exists in many people, but if they have this hiatal hernia condition, then it can make it worse. Sometimes, people who just have a hiatal hernia might be prone to acid reflux. People with this condition often notice that their acid reflux signs get aggravated when they do normal activities such as bending over or lying down after eating. This happens when your body position encourages your acid to move upward.
Addressing acid reflux without identifying the hidden hiatal hernia might cause the above symptoms even though you have undergone lifestyle changes and taken medications. Hence, a proper diagnosis is vital in identifying whether acid reflux is caused by weak LES muscles, dietary factors, or a structural problem like a hernia.
How Can Hiatal Hernia Be Treated?
Treatments for a hiatal hernia are usually not required unless the symptoms start to appear. The treatments include
1) In taking medications to treat the esophagus, prevent or lessen stomach acid production, and neutralize stomach acids.
2) Making modifications to your lifestyle, including reducing extra weight, sleeping on your left side, eating earlier in the evening, eating smaller meals, waiting to lie down after eating, avoiding food that disrupts your digestive health, and raising the head of the bed.
3) Getting hiatal hernia surgery at the top general surgery hospital Coimbatore to minimize the size of the esophagus, reshape the esophageal muscles, and bring the stomach back to the abdomen.
Remember that a hiatal hernia requires surgical treatment when the conservative remedies do not work.
Takeaway
Hiatal hernia and acid reflux are linked as they both can exhibit the same symptoms and occasionally get confused. This blog will help you understand if the acid reflux is related to a hidden hiatal hernia or not. It is important to note that not all types of hiatal hernia contribute to either discomfort or pain. If not properly diagnosed, it could seriously impact your overall well-being.
Finding these symptoms early and getting the proper medical care can help avoid complications in the future. Hiatal hernia and acid reflux can be managed easily with lifestyle changes and immediate medical attention.
