A hiatal hernia is the prolapse of part of the stomach through the opening (hiatus) of the diaphragm into the chest. Normally, the hiatus is a small opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes immediately before it connects to the stomach. As a result, food and acidic stomach contents can flow back unimpeded into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation behind the breastbone, and subsequently inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), which gives rise to 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.
This condition is found mostly in people over 50 years of age.
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, another abdominal organ is also in the chest (the colon, pancreas, spleen, and others)
On this page, you can change your choices at any time after you have read and understood our