Hiatal Hernia: Causes and Symptoms
Before I tell you more about the surgery procedure for hiatal hernia, let me tell you about the causes and symptoms of hernia. As mentioned earlier, this condition may occur if the size of the esophageal hiatus is larger than its usual size. Acid reflux disease is a medical condition that may also make one susceptible to hiatal hernia. Acid reflux disease is characterized by the regurgitation or the backflow of gastric juices from the stomach into the esophagus. This may be caused owing to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter valve that aids in pushing food into the stomach. This valve may become weak due to consumption of acidic foods. Hiatal hernia could also occur if the diaphragm gets weakened due to frequent strain during bowel movements. Thus, chronic constipation surely puts one at an increased risk of developing this condition.
Chronic violent coughing can also weaken the diaphragm. Stomach may also protrude if the esophagus is not firmly attached to the diaphragm. Now that you have some idea about the causes of hiatal hernia, let's move on to hiatal hernia symptoms. A person suffering from hiatal hernia is most likely to experience symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing food, burning sensation in the chest, regurgitation of stomach acid, acid taste in mouth, belching, chest pain or tightness in the chest. The symptoms may worsen after having meals. If the portion of the stomach that is herniated gets strangulated and the blood supply to it gets cut off, serious complications could arise. Under such circumstances, hernia repair surgery may become an absolute necessity.
Hiatal Hernia: Surgery
Though surgery is not resorted to always, but if the symptoms are severe, doctors may recommend surgery as a part of hiatal hernia treatment. Hernia surgery is classified into open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Both of these are performed under general anesthesia. In case of an open surgery, a single incision would be made into the chest wall or the abdomen in order to push back the herniated stomach. This is followed by reducing the size of the hiatal opening. The esophageal sphincter muscle may also be reconstructed. The upper portion of the stomach would then be wrapped around the lower section of the esophagus and stitched back in its place. This is to prevent back flow of acid. The incision would then be closed with sutures. At times, a tube is placed inside the stomach in order to prevent the stomach shift from its place. This may be removed after the patient shows signs of recovery.
In case of a laparoscopic surgery, small incisions are made around the herniated section. A laparoscope is inserted through one of the incisions. Since a mini-camera is attached to the laparoscope, the image of the internal organs can be seen on the video monitor. The images guide the surgeons as they insert surgical instruments through smaller incisions and push back the stomach into place. Once hernia is repaired, the incisions are sutured. One may recover from the surgery within a month. Generally, antibiotics are prescribed so as to lower the risk of infection. Constipation must be avoided as straining during bowel movements can stress out the abdominal muscles. One must therefore, have smaller but frequent meals. One must also increase one's fluid intake. Following a hiatal hernia diet plan after the surgery is extremely important to prevent the recurrence of hiatal hernia or any other complications.
Before I tell you more about the surgery procedure for hiatal hernia, let me tell you about the causes and symptoms of hernia. As mentioned earlier, this condition may occur if the size of the esophageal hiatus is larger than its usual size. Acid reflux disease is a medical condition that may also make one susceptible to hiatal hernia. Acid reflux disease is characterized by the regurgitation or the backflow of gastric juices from the stomach into the esophagus. This may be caused owing to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter valve that aids in pushing food into the stomach. This valve may become weak due to consumption of acidic foods. Hiatal hernia could also occur if the diaphragm gets weakened due to frequent strain during bowel movements. Thus, chronic constipation surely puts one at an increased risk of developing this condition.
Chronic violent coughing can also weaken the diaphragm. Stomach may also protrude if the esophagus is not firmly attached to the diaphragm. Now that you have some idea about the causes of hiatal hernia, let's move on to hiatal hernia symptoms. A person suffering from hiatal hernia is most likely to experience symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing food, burning sensation in the chest, regurgitation of stomach acid, acid taste in mouth, belching, chest pain or tightness in the chest. The symptoms may worsen after having meals. If the portion of the stomach that is herniated gets strangulated and the blood supply to it gets cut off, serious complications could arise. Under such circumstances, hernia repair surgery may become an absolute necessity.
Hiatal Hernia: Surgery
Though surgery is not resorted to always, but if the symptoms are severe, doctors may recommend surgery as a part of hiatal hernia treatment. Hernia surgery is classified into open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Both of these are performed under general anesthesia. In case of an open surgery, a single incision would be made into the chest wall or the abdomen in order to push back the herniated stomach. This is followed by reducing the size of the hiatal opening. The esophageal sphincter muscle may also be reconstructed. The upper portion of the stomach would then be wrapped around the lower section of the esophagus and stitched back in its place. This is to prevent back flow of acid. The incision would then be closed with sutures. At times, a tube is placed inside the stomach in order to prevent the stomach shift from its place. This may be removed after the patient shows signs of recovery.
In case of a laparoscopic surgery, small incisions are made around the herniated section. A laparoscope is inserted through one of the incisions. Since a mini-camera is attached to the laparoscope, the image of the internal organs can be seen on the video monitor. The images guide the surgeons as they insert surgical instruments through smaller incisions and push back the stomach into place. Once hernia is repaired, the incisions are sutured. One may recover from the surgery within a month. Generally, antibiotics are prescribed so as to lower the risk of infection. Constipation must be avoided as straining during bowel movements can stress out the abdominal muscles. One must therefore, have smaller but frequent meals. One must also increase one's fluid intake. Following a hiatal hernia diet plan after the surgery is extremely important to prevent the recurrence of hiatal hernia or any other complications.
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