Hiatal Hernia

21 May 2025

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes through the diaphragm into your chest cavity. This can lead to discomfort and digestive issues but is treatable with the right care and guidance.

What Is a Hiatal Hernia?

Your diaphragm is a muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. Normally, your esophagus (food pipe) passes through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus before connecting to the stomach. In a hiatal hernia, the stomach bulges up through this opening.

There are two main types:

Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia – A portion of the stomach pushes through the hiatus and sits next to the esophagus. Though less common, this type can be more serious.

Sliding Hiatal Hernia – The stomach and esophagus slide into the chest together. This is the most common type.

Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia

Some people have no symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they may include:

Heartburn or acid reflux
Chest pain or discomfort
Difficulty swallowing
Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
Feeling full quickly after eating
Shortness of breath (in larger hernias)

If symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, it’s important to seek medical advice.

Causes and Risk Factors

A hiatal hernia can be caused by:

Congenital (present at birth) weakness in the diaphragm
Age-related changes in your diaphragm
Injury or trauma to the area
Increased pressure in the abdomen (due to heavy lifting, straining during bowel movements, obesity, or pregnancy)

Diagnosis

At The New Foscote Hospital, our experienced gastroenterologists may recommend the following diagnostic tests:

Upper GI endoscopy – To view the inside of your esophagus and stomach
Barium swallow X-ray – To identify hernias and assess swallowing function
Esophageal manometry – To evaluate the function of your esophageal muscles

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of your hernia.

Lifestyle & Medication

Eat smaller meals
Avoid trigger foods (e.g., spicy, acidic)
Elevate your head while sleeping
Weight loss if overweight
Antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors to control reflux

Surgery

If medications don’t relieve symptoms or in cases of larger or paraesophageal hernias, surgical repair may be recommended. This is usually performed laparoscopically to reduce recovery time.

Why Choose The New Foscote Hospital?

Access to leading consultants in gastroenterology
On-site diagnostics and imaging
Personalised treatment plans
Fast access to surgical intervention if needed
Outstanding patient care in a calm, private environment

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hiatal hernia or have already been diagnosed and are seeking further treatment, our team is here to help.

Make An Enquiry

Our Resident Private GPs

Our GPs are welcoming and highly experienced. They offer patients sound diagnosis and treatment, along with individual care focused on patients’ future health.