Hiatus hernia (patient information)
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is hiatus hernia?
How do I know if I have hiatus hernia and what are the symptoms of hiatus hernia?
In most patients, hiatus hernias cause no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually experience the symptoms like those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or its complications.
- Heartburn and regurgitation, when stomach acid refluxes back into the esophagus. Chronic reflux of acid into the esophagus may cause injury and bleeding.
- Anemia
- Difficulty swallowing
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for hiatus hernia?
- Old people: Muscle weakening and loss of elasticity as people age.
- Pregnacy: Intra-abdominal forces exerted in pregnancy.
- Persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles, such as when coughing, vomiting, or straining during a bowel movement or while lifting heavy objects
- Chronic constipation
- Western, fiber-depleted diet
- Obesity
- Chronic esophagitis
- Abdominal ascites
How to know you have hiatus hernia?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for hiatus hernia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating hiatus hernia
Prevention of hiatus hernia
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.gicare.com/Diseases/hiatus-hernia.aspx
http://www.medicinenet.com/hiatal_hernia/article.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/178393-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiatal-hernia/DS00099/DSECTION=symptoms