Hiatal Hernias and Acid Reflux: What’s the Link?
Do you suffer from constant chest pain that is accompanied by acid reflux? If so, you may be suffering from a hiatal hernia. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the link between hiatal hernias and acid reflux and answer a few common patient questions: is acid reflux related to hiatal hernias, why does a hiatal hernia cause acid reflux, and how do you stop acid reflux from a hiatal hernia.
What Are Hiatal Hernias and Acid Reflux?
We’ve discussed both hiatal hernias and acid reflux in previous places, but a recap might help as we discuss the link between these two conditions.
Hiatal hernias are a type of hernia (when organs and tissue slip into a part of the body where they don’t belong) that occurs at the hiatus between the stomach and esophagus.
Acid reflux is usually just a symptom of other issues at play in the body, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest – and sometimes, regurgitation of acidic stomach contents.
Interestingly, the two conditions seem to go together more often than not. If you’re thinking that there must be a link between these two conditions, you’re mostly right.
Is Acid Reflux Related to Hiatal Hernias?
The answer is complicated: yes and no. Acid reflux and hiatal hernias are both gastrointestinal disorders that occur around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and they are not mutually exclusive. Let’s take a quick look at some of the symptoms of hiatal hernias, keeping in mind that some people don’t experience any symptoms at all:
Heartburn (as we’ve noted)
Chest pain
Sour or bitter tastes in the mouth
Stomach pain
Abdominal pain that causes nausea or vomiting – this is in very severe cases and warrants an emergency visit
Heartburn (acid reflux) in and of itself is a symptom that involves a burning sensation in the chest. Acid reflux is often accompanied by regurgitation and aspiration of regurgitated stomach acid into the lungs – a very uncomfortable situation to deal with.
Why Does a Hiatal Hernia Cause Acid Reflux?
For many people, a hiatal hernia causes acid reflux due to the pressure around the LES. A hiatal hernia, through its widening and slipping through the opening in the diaphragm around the LES, tends to facilitate acid reflux.
Also of note, some of the causes of hiatal hernias (such as obesity, pregnancy, straining during bowel movements, and other things that cause internal, upward pressure), can also worsen general reflux symptoms and cause GERD. This overlap often means that hiatal hernias and GERD go hand-in-hand.
How Do You Stop Acid Reflux From a Hiatal Hernia?
As with any acid reflux issue, the fix begins with addressing the source. Lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications (omeprazole or famotidine) may help you reduce your symptoms, but a serious hiatal hernia needs to be addressed physically. Work with your general care physician first to rule out other conditions. They will likely want to do some tests and imaging procedures to determine what is causing your issues.
If your doctor refers you to a reflux specialist, ask for the team at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center; our experts can help you beat your reflux for good!