A hiatal hernia is a prolapse of part of the stomach through the opening (hiatus) of the diaphragm in the chest. Normally, the hiatus is a small opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes just before it joins the stomach. As a result, nutrients and acidic contents of the stomach can return unhindered to the esophagus and cause burning for the sternum, and subsequently inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), which causes the so-called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Hiatal hernias grow larger over time, and it is possible for the entire stomach and even other organs to enter the chest.
There are 4 types of hiatal hernia:
- Sliding (axial) hiatal hernia;
- Paraesophageal hiatal hernia;
- Mixed type; Complicated hiatal hernia, in which, in addition to the stomach, there is also another abdominal organ in the chest (colon, pancreas, spleen, etc.).
On this page, you can change your choices at any time after you have read and understood our