A stomach hernia arises when the upper portion of the stomach pushes out from the diaphragm, the large muscle that separates the chest and abdomen. The diaphragm has a small opening for the food pipe to pass through. In this condition, also called hiatal hernia, the stomach gets pushed up through this cavity and reaches into your chest. A small hernia is not a big concern, but a larger one can cause heartburn and other health-related issues.

Using self-care measures, you can get relief from the symptoms. If you have a very large hernia, you will have to get the surgery done.

Symptoms of hiatal hernia
Mostly, hiatal hernia comes with no signs and symptoms. But some show the following indications:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Heartburn
• Chest pain and abdominal pain
• Feeling too full once you eat
• The feeling of shortness of breath
• Passing hard and black stool
• Blood vomit
• Backflow of acid present in the stomach
• Regurgitation of water and food in the mouth
• Tasting sour or bitter at the back of the throat
• Belching and bloating
• Pain in the stomach

Hiatal hernia can happen to people of any gender and age. It mostly occurs in individuals aged 50 and above. This disease doesn’t always come with a symptom, but when it does, the manifestations are similar to that of GERD.

Causes of hernia
A hiatal hernia happens when the muscles in the stomach become weak. This causes it to bulge up through the diaphragm. It is not always known why it happens, but hiatal hernia might be caused due to the following:

• Some age-related changes in your body systems
• A particular area gets injured due to trauma or surgery
• When a child is born with an unusually large hiatus
• Intense and continuous pressure on the surrounding muscles, like while vomiting, coughing, exercising, straining during a bowel movement, or lifting heavy objects.

Treatment options for hiatal hernia
Mostly, a hiatal hernia is not a problematic situation and rarely needs expert care. But if you have symptoms similar to GERD, you should start your treatment as early as possible. Care begins with making a few lifestyle changes:

• Maintain a healthy BMI
• Reduce the portion of your meals
• Avoid acidic foods like tomato ketchup, citrus fruits, or anything that irritates the lining of the food pipe.
• Avoid fried and fatty foods or caffeinated drinks, peppermint, vinegar, and mustard.
• Have your meals at least three to four hours before bed, and avoid bedtime snacks.
• Keep your head elevated using a pillow when lying on your back. This helps gravity to hold the stomach’s contents within.
• Avoid food that is an intense heartburn generator.
• Take medicinal formulations after having your meals to reduce acid in the stomach.
• Don’t wear tight belts or clothing that can put pressure on the abdomen.
• Your doctor might suggest a formulation called a proton-pump inhibitor to treat the hernia. This can help decrease the amount of stomach acid and prevent reflux. With the help of a proton-pump inhibitor, your stomach doesn’t produce acid as it normally does. This is similar to H-blocker formulations.

When is surgery suggested?
If the portion of the stomach is squeezed and the blood supply is impaired, you might have to get surgery. Operation is also needed in people with a hiatal hernia with long-lasting esophageal reflux that can’t be treated with therapies. The main aim of this surgery is to correct reflux by making a better valve mechanism. Surgical procedure for fixing a hiatal hernia includes:

• Closing the hole in the diaphragm muscle
• Improving the valve at the bottom of the food pipe
• Pulling out the bulged part back into the abdomen

In most patients with a large hernia, the operation is very effective.

A hernia is said to have occurred when an organ protrudes through the wall of the muscles that encircle it. It puts undue pressure on the stomach by twisting and squeezing it. Hiatal hernia mostly doesn’t require treatment beyond monitoring and following certain healthcare formulations. But in the case of chronic pain, therapy is necessary. If you wish to discuss a potential hernia treatment, you can reach out to a licensed healthcare provider. Also, this condition can recur after surgery. Making some lifestyle changes, like exercising regularly, and maintaining a balanced meal plan, can help manage the symptoms of hiatal hernia. These changes can provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms like chest pain and heartburn.