Hiatal Hernia Causes & Risk Factors

A hiatal hernia affects approximately 15 percent of the population. Only a small percentage of these people will experience symptoms as a result of this condition.

Identification

• A hiatal hernia is due to a larger than normal hiatal opening. Your diaphragm is a muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. The diaphragm has an opening for the esophagus, where it connects to the stomach. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach passes through or herniates through the hiatus and into the chest. Most hiatal hernias develop over time; however, infants have been born with hiatal hernias.

Causes

• A hiatal hernia can be due to a shortening of the esophagus caused by reflux or regurgitation of stomach acid, which can result in scarring. This pulls the stomach up. Another cause could be a loose attachment of the esophagus to the diaphragm, which allows both the esophagus and the stomach to be pulled up.

Symptoms

• Most hiatal hernias do not cause symptoms. However, if the hernia is very large it may cause symptoms such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), regurgitation and heartburn, and nausea.

Treatment

• A large hiatal hernia may require surgery to resolve. The procedure for this type of surgery involves pulling the stomach back down into the abdomen, making the esophageal hiatus smaller and securing the esophagus securely to the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias that are smaller and are causing GERD symptoms are treated with medication such as cimetidine, ranitidine or ramotidine.

Risk Factors

• You may have an increased risk for a hiatal hernia if you are over 50 years old, are obese, or are a smoker. Children who suffer from a hiatal hernia are most often born with this condition.