Overview

What Is a Hiatal Hernia?

A hiatal hernia is a pouch-like structure at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach. The esophagus is the muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes up into a hiatus (opening) in your diaphragm. There are two types of hiatal hernias:

• Sliding hiatal hernia: The more common type of hernia, this happens when part of the stomach and the juncture of the stomach and esophagus slide up into your esophagus through the hiatal opening.
• Paraesophageal hernia: Less common, this type of hiatal hernia happens when part of your stomach pushes up through the hiatis into your chest, next to your esophagus.

Complications of a hiatal hernia can include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Pulmonary-esophageal interactions (breathing complications), such as asthma or aspiration pneumonia
• Strangulation of the hernia, cutting off the blood supply to your stomach