What happens if hiatal hernia is not treated

While symptoms like these can be aggravating, they are usually not serious. Rarely, severe complications can develop, requiring emergency treatment. Generally speaking, small herniation of the stomach is not inherently harmful and is unlikely to cause any direct pain or discomfort. A hiatal hernia can alter the structures and mechanisms that keep food and acids where they belong. The key to this problem is a structure called the lower esophageal sphincter LES. When a hiatal herniation occurs, it can change the position of this muscular valve, allowing the contents of the stomach to backflow into the esophagus known as reflux.

Related, intermittent symptoms can include:. Generally speaking, it is only when a hernia gets larger that it can manifest in this way. If the LES weakens even further, which can happen with age, related symptoms can get progressively worse. People with a hiatal hernia are more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , a chronic form of reflux that can interfere with quality of life. The persistence of GERD symptoms can lead to a chronic cough, chest pain, asthma, and progressive damage to your tooth enamel.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of hiatal hernia: a sliding hiatal hernia and a paraesophageal hernia.

Unlike a sliding hernia, a paraesophageal hernia doesn't readily slide in and out of the hiatus. Rather, it can get progressively larger and slip even further into the chest cavity as time goes by. It is at this later stage that the complications can become serious and, in rare cases, life-threatening.

Complications may include esophageal compression, gastric obstruction, strangulation, and an extremely rare condition known as an intrathoracic stomach. Compression of the esophagus can occur as the hernia presses against the esophageal wall.

When this happens, food can get stuck in the esophagus, causing chest pain after eating and difficulty swallowing dysphagia. While esophageal compression is not considered a medical emergency, it may require medications to alleviate or prevent worsening symptoms.

Incarceration occurs when the herniated portion of the stomach becomes trapped in the hiatus. In some cases, the symptoms of incarceration may be chronic but minimal mostly a sensation of chest pressure as food passes through the upper digestive tract. But, it can cause obstruction or impede blood circulation.

Incarceration itself is not a medical emergency unless a severe obstruction occurs. Volvulus is when a herniated stomach twists more than degrees, causing a severe gastric obstruction. While it can occur with hiatal hernia, it can also occur without it and is very uncommon. Symptoms may include dysphagia, chest pain after eating, belching, and vomiting. If this problem progresses, it can cause upper abdominal pain and distention, vomiting leading to nonproductive retching, and gastric bleeding due to the abnormally increased blood pressure.

Strangulation is a cut-off of the blood supply to the stomach, either due to volvulus or incarceration. Symptoms include a sudden, sharp chest pain; fever; fatigue; bloating; vomiting; an inability to pass gas; constipation; warmth or redness over the herniation; rapid heart rate; and bloody or tarry stools due to gastrointestinal bleeding.

This is considered a medical emergency as the blockage can result in rapid organ damage. If not treated immediately, strangulation can lead to gangrene , shock, and death. An intrathoracic stomach is a rare condition in which the stomach slips entirely into the chest cavity.

Most people do not need surgery for the hernia. People over the age of 50 are most at risk, and women tend to suffer from Hiatal hernias more often than their male counterparts. Obesity is also a contributing cause to the presence of Hiatal hernias. In order to properly diagnose your gastric condition, your Baton Rouge hernia specialist will use a barium swallow or an upper endoscopy. An upper endoscopy allows your doctor to examine the esophagus and determine the cause of heartburn.

With small changes in self-care or diet, most small Hiatal hernias can be taken care of with little to no medical attention required. However, larger Hiatal hernias can present serious complications if left untreated.

Visit a gastroesophageal specialist in Baton Rouge to determine the cause of your digestive distress and start on the road to heartburn management today. Arising nearly anywhere in the body, cancer is a concerning condition that stems from uncontrolled and abnormal cellular growth.

As reported by the American Cancer Society, approximately 26, new stomach cancer cases develop each year. Gastric cancer, also called Read More. It could also be a sign of heart problems or peptic ulcers. Only testing can find out what is causing your symptoms.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD occurs when the food, liquids, and acid in your stomach end up in your esophagus. This can lead to heartburn or nausea after meals. Your doctor may have you drink a liquid with barium in it before taking an X-ray.

This X-ray provides a clear silhouette of your upper digestive tract. The image allows your doctor to see the location of your stomach.

Your doctor may perform an endoscopy. He or she will slide a thin tube in your throat and pass it down to your esophagus and stomach. Your doctor will then be able to see if your stomach is pushing through your diaphragm.

Any strangulation or obstruction will also be visible. The presence of symptoms usually determines treatment. However, surgery is not commonly recommended. To perform surgery, doctors either make a standard incision in the chest or abdomen, or use laparoscopic surgery , which shortens recovery time. Acid reflux causes most hiatal hernia symptoms. Changing your diet can reduce your symptoms. It may help to eat smaller meals several times a day instead of three large meals.

You should also avoid eating meals or snacks within a few hours of going to bed. There are also certain foods that may increase your risk of heartburn.

Consider avoiding:. Abdominal bloating occurs when the abdomen feels tight or full. These may include lifestyle changes, such as modifying the diet and starting a suitable exercise regimen, and OTC medications. There are a variety of medicines available for the treatment of acid reflux. Learn more about the prescription and OTC medicines available here.

Acid reflux can be very uncomfortable. Learn how to help reduce the unpleasant symptoms, including during pregnancy, and how to prevent it here.

There are many different types of hernia. Find out here what they look like, what they feel like, and when a person should contact a doctor to get…. Hernias occur when a weakness in the muscular wall of the abdomen allows organs and tissues to push through. Hernias usually occur in the groin…. Fundoplication is a surgical procedure that can help treat some gastrointestinal conditions, including acid reflux and hiatal hernias.

Learn more here. Can you fix a hiatal hernia yourself? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Fixing it alone Symptoms without treatment Managing symptoms at home Medical treatment Contacting a doctor Summary A hiatal hernia happens when a section of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity.

Can people fix hiatal hernias themselves? Do symptoms subside without treatment? Ways to manage symptoms at home. Medical treatment options.