What is a thoracic hiatal hernia?
What is a thoracic hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is a common anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes or herniates through the diaphragm and up into the chest. If the stomach gets stuck in the defect in the diaphragm, the hernia may become confined and cause severe pain in the chest and abdomen, which is a surgical emergency.
Do thoracic surgeons treat hiatal hernia?
At Tufts Medical Center, experienced thoracic surgeons use minimally invasive surgery to treat hiatial and paraesophageal hernias because it effective in reducing symptoms and the amount of time you spend in recovery.
Can a hiatal hernia cause thoracic back pain?
Can a paraesophageal or a hiatal hernia cause pain in my back? A sliding hiatal hernia will not cause back or epigastric pain like a paraesophageal hernia can. Sliding hiatal hernias can cause GERD symptoms. A very large paraesophageal hernia could potentially cause back pain, but this is not a common symptom.
What are the symptoms of an upper hiatal 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.
How bad does a hiatal hernia have to be for surgery?
However, surgery may be recommended if: symptoms are severe and interfere with quality of life. symptoms do not respond to other treatments. the hernia is at risk of becoming strangulated, which is where the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off — a situation that can be fatal.
How did I get a hiatus hernia?
Hiatal Hernia Causes Being born with a larger hiatal opening than usual. Injury to the area. Changes in your diaphragm as you age. A rise in pressure in your belly, as from pregnancy, obesity, coughing, lifting something heavy, or straining on the toilet.
