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Can a Hiatal Hernia Affect the Taste of Food?

Hiatal hernias occur when part of the stomach moves up above the diaphragm, the muscle that divides the chest from the abdomen. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, hiatal hernias are very common in people over the age of 50, although they sometimes occur in younger people as well.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a hiatal hernia vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition. Sometimes no symptoms occur. Sometimes people experience symptoms such as gas, bloating, nausea and chest or stomach pain.

    Taste

    • Another symptom of hiatal hernias, especially in more severe cases, is a bitter or acid-like taste in the mouth. This unpleasant sensation may be present any time, not just when a person with a hiatal hernia eats, and it may affect the taste of food.

    Cause Of Bitter Taste

    • In someone with a hiatal hernia, the lower esophageal sphincter may not close properly. This causes a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which allows stomach acid to rise up the esophagus, causing a bitter taste in the mouth.

    Diagnosing The Problem

    • To diagnose a hiatal hernia, doctors usually order a special X-ray called a barium swallow radiograph. They may also do an endoscopy, a procedure in which a tiny camera is passed down the throat to view the esophagus and stomach. It is important to get the correct diagnosis because a hiatal hernia is not the only condition that can affect the taste of food or cause a bitter taste in the mouth.

    Treatment

    • Treatment usually involves medications to reduce stomach acid and strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, which will reduce the bad taste in the mouth. If medications don't resolve the problem, surgery may be necessary.

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