An endoscopy is a procedure in which the inside of the upper digestive system is viewed with an endoscope (a long, thin, flexible instrument about 1/2 inch in diameter).
It also shows how big the hiatal hernia is and if there is twisting of the stomach as a result of the hernia.
A barium swallow involves drinking a special liquid, then taking X-rays to help see problems in the esophagus (such as swallowing disorders) and the stomach (such as ulcers and tumors).
These include a barium swallow test, an endoscopy procedure, esophageal manometric studies, a pH test and gastric emptying studies. Several tests can be done to help diagnose a hiatal hernia. Since chest pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you experience any chest pain. Many people have a hiatal hernia without having GERD, and others have GERD without having a hiatal hernia.Īnother symptom of a hiatal hernia is chest pain.
Discomfort or pain in the stomach or esophagus.Īlthough there appears to be a link between hiatal hernia and GERD, one condition does not seem to cause the other.
Bitter or sour taste in the back of the throat.
GERD occurs when digestive juices move from the stomach back into the esophagus. Some people with hiatal hernia have some of the same symptoms as gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD). Many people with a hiatal hernia never have symptoms. What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia? Increased pressure in the abdomen (arrows) causes part of the stomach to push through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. You may experience a hiatal hernia during pregnancy, if you have obesity, or if there’s extra fluid in your abdomen. There are also other reasons a hiatal hernia could develop. This pressure can build up from things like:
Lower part of the esophagus and stomach.
Your abdominal cavity is the space in the middle of your body that holds several organs, including the: The most common cause of a hiatal hernia is an increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity.