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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. Your diaphragm normally has a small opening (hiatus) that allows your food tube (esophagus) to pass through on its way to connect to your stomach. The stomach can push up through this opening and cause a hiatal hernia.
In most cases, a small hiatal hernia doesn't cause problems, and you may never know you have a hiatal hernia unless your doctor discovers it when checking for another condition. But a large hiatal hernia can allow food and acid to back up into your esophagus, leading to heartburn and chest pain. Self-care measures or medications can usually relieve these symptoms, although a very large hiatal hernia sometimes requires surgery.
- Brady M. Hiatal hernia. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/162991320-4/0/2088/0.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Jeyarajah R, et al. Abdominal hernias and gastric volvulus. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/162991320-4/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Keifer D. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Rakel, D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/162991320-4/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Kahrilas PJ. Hiatus hernia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- The word on GERD. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patient/gerd/word.asp. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Oct. 6, 2009.
