How serious is an esophageal hernia?
Most cases are not serious. But there’s a risk that blood flow to your stomach could become blocked. If that happens, it could cause serious damage and is considered a medical emergency.
Can you get a hernia in your esophagus?
There are two main types of hiatal hernias: sliding and paraesophageal. Ordinarily, your esophagus (food pipe) goes through the hiatus and attaches to your stomach. In a sliding hiatal hernia, your stomach and the lower part of your esophagus slide up into your chest through the diaphragm.
Do esophageal hernias go away?
These will not go away and there’s no way to prevent them. These hernias are more common in people who are obese or have diabetes or chronic smoking habits, but being in good health reduces the chances of those complications.
What does hiatal hernia feel like?
What does a strangulated hiatal hernia feel like? You are likely to feel severe chest pain if you have a strangulated hiatal hernia. 6 Heart palpitations and shortness of breath are also common. Other sensations can include nausea, difficulty swallowing, and bloating.
What are the symptoms of an upper abdominal hernia?
Symptoms
- Heartburn.
- Regurgitation of food or liquids into the mouth.
- Backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus (acid reflux)
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Chest or abdominal pain.
- Feeling full soon after you eat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Vomiting of blood or passing of black stools, which may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.
What is the best medicine for a hiatal hernia?
What is the best medicine for hiatal hernia? Antacids, used to reduce stomach acids, such as Maalox or Tums are available over-the-counter and are often used to treat initial symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Prilosec is a highly recommended prescription drug used to treat hiatal hernia.
What is the fastest way to cure a hiatal hernia?
Try to:
- Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals.
- Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine.
- Avoid lying down after a meal or eating late in the day.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking.