Can you feel a sliding hiatal 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. 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 doctor or nurse to look inside. A hiatus hernia may be seen. Occasionally other tests are needed. 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. 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, other pills such as ranitidine or antacids may be used. 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. 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. These areas are called strictures. Chest X-rays: Electromagnetic energy produces images of internal tissues, bones and organs. CT-Scans: These scans make up a series of images of the inside of your body, all taken from different angles, to reveal a high level of detail.

To ensure that your veins and organs show up clearly in these scans, you may need to swallow a dye used for that purpose, or have it injected into your vein. Upper Endoscopy EGD : A procedure in which an endoscope is threaded through your mouth and then into your esophagus. This procedure allows your surgeon to actually see your upper digestive tract, which includes your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, or the first part of your small intestine.

Your surgeon can then remove a tissue sample as well. Under certain conditions, however, treatment will be necessary. Those conditions include: chronic anemia; chronic pain; complications by gastroesophageal reflux disease; complications by esophagitis; danger of strangulation; inability to vomit; recurrent pneumonia or other infections.

The following treatments are available for those with hiatal hernias. Minimally invasive surgery can effectively diminish the size of a hernia, as well as reduce the opening in the diaphragm, thereby preventing strangulation. It does not normally need treatment if it's not causing you problems. You can have a hiatus hernia without knowing and without it being a problem. These are the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease GORD.

They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need it. Go to 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. This may cause the area to appear visually larger. The abdomen may feel hard or tight….