subject: Types of Hiatal Hernias [print this page] Types of Hiatal Hernias Types of Hiatal Hernias
Normally, a muscular wall called the diaphragm separates the chest, or thoracic, cavity from your stomach and other organs of your abdomen. However, sometimes weakness in the diaphragm can allow the stomach to push up into the thoracic cavity. This is called a hiatal hernia. Depending on part of the stomach that goes into the chest cavity, you can develop different types of hiatal hernias.
Your diaphragm contains a hole called the hiatus, which allows your esophagus to go through this muscular wall to connect to your stomach. The normally strong diaphragm can be weakened through problems like illness and pressure, which allows the stomach to protrude up through the hiatus. Although you may never realize that you have a hiatal hernia, a large bulge can cause problems such as:
-Heartburn
-Chest pain
-Nausea
-Abnormal belching
There are three main types of hiatal hernias. With paraesophageal hernias, only the stomach travels up through the hiatus to lay alongside the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter, or the valve connecting the stomach to esophagus, stays in its normal location. This is typically the result of a large hole at or near the hiatus.
Next, sliding hernias happen when both the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter travel up through the hiatus. The stomach then rests in the chest cavity. Because the sphincter is squeezed above the hiatus, it cannot close as well as normal. Therefore, sliding hernias often cause feelings of heartburn as stomach acid flows into the esophagus.
Lastly, you can also develop a combination of these two types of hernias, called a mixed hiatal hernia. Like a sliding hernia, mixed hernias involve the lower esophageal sphincter sliding up through the hiatus. However, like paraesophageal hernias, the stomach is squeezed up next to the esophagus.
In some cases, doctors may choose to treat your heartburn and strengthen your haitus with a drug called Reglan. However, Reglan contains metoclopramide, an ingredient linked to debilitating neuromuscular disorders. If you have developed a neuromuscular disorder such as tardive dyskinesia due to taking Reglan, you should contact a Reglan attorney from Williams Kherkher today.
