Hiatus hernia

What is a hiatus hernia?

A hiatus hernia occurs when part of one of the organs in the tummy protrudes through the diaphragm. Most commonly this is a part of the stomach; however, it may be other organs, such as the pancreas, spleen or the upper gut (small intestine).

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when part of an organ pushes (protrudes) through a muscular wall that holds it in place. There are different types of hernia. For example, an inguinal hernia is the most common type when part of the lower bowel protrudes through the muscle in the groin.

Understanding the upper gut

The gut (gastrointestinal tract) is the tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the back passage (anus).

The upper gut includes the gullet (oesophagus), stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). Food passes down the oesophagus into the stomach. The stomach makes acid which helps to digest food. After being mixed in the stomach, food passes into the duodenum to be digested by the digestive system.

Diagram of upper gut and nearby organs

Diagram of normal stomach

The walls of the stomach contain muscle. At the junction of the stomach and the oesophagus there is a thickened area of muscle which is called a sphincter. The sphincter acts like a valve. When food comes down the oesophagus into the stomach, the sphincter relaxes. However, it closes at other times to stop food and acid in the stomach going back up (refluxing) into the oesophagus.

The diaphragm is a large flat muscle that separates the lungs from the tummy (abdomen). It helps us to breathe.

The oesophagus comes through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm just before it joins to the stomach. Normally, all of the stomach is below the diaphragm. The muscle fibres in the diaphragm around the lower oesophagus help the sphincter to keep the oesophagus closed to prevent reflux of acid and food.

Types of hiatus hernia

Sliding hiatus hernias

This is the most common type. In this situation, the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the gullet (oesophagus) and the top of the stomach protrudes through the hole (hiatus) opening in the diaphragm. This is the muscle separating the lungs from the tummy (abdomen).

The hernia may slide up and down, in and out of the lower chest. It is often quite small. This type of hiatus hernia tends to be associated with symptoms of acid reflux (see below.)

Para-oesophageal hiatus hernia (also called a rolling hiatus hernias)

This type is less common. In this situation, a part of the stomach pushes (protrudes) up through the hole in the diaphragm next to the oesophagus. Other organs from the tummy can also protrude through the hole in some cases. This could be the pancreas, the spleen or the upper gut (small intestine).

This is not the normal type of hiatus hernia and it is much less common than a sliding hiatus hernia. It is more risky, as there is more chance the organ protruding can get stuck, causing a blockage (obstruction).

Diagram of sliding hiatus hernia

Diagram of rolling hiatus hernia

You may also see hiatus hernias referred to as types 1-4 depending on where the stomach and oesophagus are in relation to the diaphragm.

Hiatus hernia symptoms

Often there are none

Many people have no hiatal hernia symptoms.

Acid reflux symptoms

The hernia itself does not cause symptoms. However, if you have a hiatus hernia, the factors that normally prevent stomach acid from refluxing into the gullet (oesophagus) may not work so well. The sphincter muscle may not work properly. The normal pressure of the diaphragm muscle on the oesophagus is lost.

Therefore, you are more prone for acid in the stomach to go back upwards (reflux) into your oesophagus. The refluxed acid can cause inflammation of the lower part of the oesophagus. This can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

• Heartburn: this is the main symptom. This is a burning feeling which rises from the upper tummy (abdomen) or lower chest up towards the neck.

• Pain in the upper abdomen and chest.

• Feeling sick.

• An acid taste in the mouth.

• Bloating.

• Belching.

• Difficulty swallowing.

• A burning pain when you swallow hot drinks.

These symptoms tend to come and go and tend to be worse after a meal.

Some uncommon symptoms may occur. If any of these symptoms occur, it can make the diagnosis difficult, as these symptoms can mimic other conditions. For example:

• A persistent cough, particularly at night, sometimes occurs. This is due to the refluxed acid irritating the windpipe (trachea). Asthma-like symptoms of cough and wheeze can sometimes be due to acid reflux.

• Other mouth and throat symptoms sometimes occur such as gum problems, bad breath, sore throat, hoarseness and a feeling of a lump in the throat.

• Severe chest pain develops in some cases (and may be mistaken for a heart attack).

• Rarely, in people with a para-oesophageal hernia, the symptoms can be those of a part of the bowel being blocked (obstructed). In this case there would be severe tummy pain or chest pain, with retching or being sick (vomiting).

Note: many people with acid reflux do not have a hiatus hernia. Also, many people with a hiatus hernia do not have symptoms of acid reflux. If you have a hiatus hernia it does not necessarily mean that the sphincter between the oesophagus and stomach does not work so well. It is just that having a hiatus hernia makes you more prone to having a poorly functioning sphincter and more prone to developing acid reflux symptoms.

However, people with a hiatus hernia who do get reflux, on average, tend to get more severe symptoms and problems associated with acid reflux. This may be because with a hiatus hernia any acid that gets into the oesophagus is more likely to remain in contact with the lining of the oesophagus for longer compared with people without a hiatus hernia. See the separate leaflet called Acid Reflux and Oesophagitis (Heartburn) for more details.

What causes a hiatus hernia?

The cause of hiatus hernia is not clear. It is thought that most develop in people over the age of 50 years. It may be that the diaphragm muscle weakens with age. This allows part of the stomach to protrude through the hole in the diaphragm.

Factors which increase the pressure in the tummy (abdomen), such as regular coughing, repeated lifting of heavy objects, or obesity, may increase the risk of developing a hiatus hernia. It may be more likely if one of your close relatives has a hiatus hernia.

Operations around the stomach and gullet can make you more likely to get the para-oesophageal type of hiatus hernia. You are also more likely to get this type if your spine or rib cage is more curved than usual. For example, people with scoliosis or kyphosis.

There is a rare type of hiatus hernia which occurs in newborn babies, due to a congenital defect of the stomach or diaphragm. 'Congenital' means that the condition is present from birth. This rare type is not dealt with further in this leaflet.

How common is a hiatus hernia?

The exact number of people with a hiatus hernia is not known, as many people with a hiatus hernia do not have symptoms. However, they are thought to be common. Some studies suggest that up to half of people having tests for indigestion (dyspepsia) are discovered to have a hiatus hernia.

How is a hiatus hernia diagnosed?

A hiatus hernia may be diagnosed if you have tests for symptoms of reflux. A special X-ray test called a barium swallow is sometimes used to confirm the presence of a hiatus hernia. Endoscopy is increasingly being used for diagnosis. An endoscope is a thin, flexible telescope which is passed down the gullet (oesophagus) into the stomach. This allows a clinician to look inside. A hiatus hernia may be seen. Occasionally other tests are needed.

Hiatus hernia treatment

No treatment in some cases

If you have no symptoms, in most cases you do not need any treatment. The hiatus hernia usually causes no harm. Occasionally, if you have a hernia which is at risk of complications, you may be offered surgery, even if you do not have any symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

• If you have reflux symptoms, you should aim to lose weight if you are overweight.

• Avoid anything that causes pressure on your stomach, such as tight clothing and corsets.

• If you are a smoker you should aim to stop. If you drink a lot of alcohol, it also helps to cut down on alcohol.

• Raising the head of your bed may help with symptoms at night.

• Avoiding eating your dinner too close to bedtime may also help with symptoms at night. Aim to have your dinner at least three hours before you go to bed ideally.

• Smaller meals may be helpful, as may avoiding foods which you find make the reflux worse.

Medicines for hiatus hernia

If changing your lifestyle does not help, you may need medication. Medicines which reduce the action or production of stomach acid may help. The most effective medicines are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs often used are omeprazole or lansoprazole. If these do not suit you, your doctor will offer other options.

Recent studies have raised questions about whether long-term PPIs are linked to stomach cancer. More research is needed.

The current advice is to take PPIs at the lowest dose and for the shortest period of time possible; some people find they can get by taking them occasionally rather than every day. However, if other medicines do not help and your symptoms cause persistent problems, you should carry on with them for as long as required.

Hiatus hernia surgery

Rarely, a hiatus hernia causes severe symptoms of reflux which are not helped so well with medication. Therefore, an operation is occasionally advised. It may also be advisable if you cannot tolerate the medication for some reason.

During this operation the stomach is put back into the correct position and the weakened diaphragm muscle around the lower gullet (oesophagus) is tightened. The operation is usually done these days using a laparoscope (a telescope inserted into the stomach). The operation quite often needs repeating in due course.

Complications of a hiatus hernia

Possible complications may occur if you have long-term reflux of acid into the gullet (oesophagus), which occurs in some cases. These include:

Oesophagitis

This is an inflammation of the lining of the gullet, caused by the acid washing against it over time. This can usually be treated with PPIs as mentioned above.

Cough

Sometimes the acid reflux can go back up and affect the voice box area (larynx) and give you a constant tickly cough and/or sore throat/hoarse voice. This can also usually be treated successfully with anti-reflux medicines.

Narrowing (a stricture)

If you have severe and long-standing inflammation it can cause scarring and narrowing of the lower oesophagus. This is uncommon.

Twisting (volvulus)

This is also known as a strangulated hernia (trapping of the hernia with blockage of the blood supply). This is a rare complication which can occur with the uncommon para-oesophageal type of hiatus hernia.

Barrett's oesophagus

The lining of the oesophagus is made up of a number of units called cells. In Barrett's oesophagus the cells that line the lower oesophagus change. The changed cells are more prone than usual to becoming cancerous. (About 1 in 20 men and 1 in 33 women with Barrett's oesophagus develop cancer of the oesophagus.)

Cancer

Your risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus is slightly increased compared with the normal risk if you have long-term acid reflux. This small increased risk is slightly higher still in people with reflux plus a hiatus hernia. This is because reflux problems, on average, tend to be more severe in people with a hiatus hernia compared to those without a hiatus hernia.