Hiatal hernia treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication and surgery. You doctor will discuss the best treatment options for your hiatal hernia based on multiple factors such as your general health and anatomy, the extent and location of your hiatal hernia, and the severity of your symptoms.
Lifestyle modifications include changing your eating habits such as eating smaller and more frequent meals, losing weight and stopping smoking.
Over-the-counter or prescribed stronger medications may be recommended to manage your hiatal hernia symptoms.
Hiatal hernia surgery may be advised if other hernia treatments have not worked and you continue to experience severe reflux problems or if there's a risk of serious complications. Keyhole surgery is usually used for a hiatus hernia. This involves making small cuts in your abdomen. Hiatal hernia surgery involves:
A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is the standard procedures to repair a hiatal hernia. It permanently relieves your hiatal hernia symptoms. During laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgery, your surgeon wraps your upper stomach (called the fundus) around the lower part your oesophagus to create a permanently tight sphincter that prevents your stomach from moving back into your chest.
The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and lasts for up to 90 minutes.
A hiatal hernia is when a part of your stomach pushes up through a hole in your diaphragm muscle, the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. If you have a hiatal hernia part of your stomach is in the lower part of your chest.
A hiatal hernia is also called a hiatus hernia as the opening in your diaphragm that your stomach pushes through is called the hiatus.
A hiatal hernia often causes no symptoms. Some people experience hiatal hernia symptoms that are similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. This is because GERD occurs when acid and digestive juices move from your stomach back into your oesophagus. These symptoms include:
Some people may also suffer from hiatal hernia pain including chest and abdominal pain.
What causes a hiatal hernia is not entirely clear. However, hiatal hernia causes can include:
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This year Ramsay Health Care celebrates 60 years of global expertise in healthcare.
We speak to Julie Wood, Medical Secretary Team Leader as she celebrates 35 years at Ramsay Health Care UK.
This year Ramsay Health Care celebrates 60 years of global expertise in healthcare.
We speak to Carole Burman, Administration Assistant as she celebrates 36 years at New Hall Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care UK.