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Hiatal Hernia Syndrome

A medical problem that can cause a wide variety of symptoms is the hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia can cause chest pain, causing the victim to think he may be experiencing a heart attack. A hernia might also be the main reason for stomach acid backing up through the esophagus, causing a burning sensation that mimics acid reflux disease. It can also cause significant pain in the upper abdomen, giving the impression that an ulcer has developed in the stomach wall.

  1. Diagnosis

    • In order to confidently diagnose the hiatal hernia, it may be necessary to send a scope down the esophagus to get a clear picture of the sphincter muscle where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm, which separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. When there is a hiatal hernia present, the top of the stomach will have become stuck in the sphincter muscle of the diaphragm. When the top of the stomach becomes stuck open, the stomach acid can flow up into the esophagus.

    Misdiagnosis

    • The release of stomach acid can cause the burning sensation that may be misdiagnosed as acid reflux disease, especially if the doctor is told the burning comes most often after a big meal. The unnatural blockage of the muscle triggers the nerves that sense pain, causing pain that can be felt either in the top of the abdomen or in the chest. Without a clear look at the esophagus where it meets the diaphragm, there is no sure way to tell if the hiatal hernia is the cause.

    Causes

    • There are a few things that can cause a hiatal hernia. Getting struck in the solar plexus, the high spot in the middle front of the ribs, can cause a disruption severe enough to push the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm. Severe coughing can also upset the sphincter muscle, especially if the coughing causes spasms in the diaphragm, causing it to move up and down rapidly.

    Surgery

    • Surgery is not usually the most successful method of treating a hiatal hernia. After the tissue is cut, the muscle is substantially weakened and the hernia may recur in a short time.

    Other Treatments

    • A more successful treatment is to manipulate the stomach by hand in order to adjust it to its proper position. This cannot be done by the person suffering from the hiatal hernia, but should be done by a skilled chiropractor with the assistance of an applied kinesiologist or massage therapist who is trained and experienced in this specific method of treatment.

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