Hiatal Hernia – Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Tholoplasty procedures
Hiatal Hernia – Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Tholoplasty procedures
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) affects about 10% of the population and is usually due to the presence of a hiatal hernia. The most common form of hiatal hernia is called “sliding hiatal hernia.”
Hiatal hernia is caused by a loosening or an anatomical anomaly where the normal opening in the diaphragm (foramen) becomes enlarged, and this is the opening through which the oesophagus passes from the thorax to the abdomen and joins with the stomach.
Acquired or genetic relaxation/widening of this opening, allows the stomach to move upwards into the chest cavity.
- If the stomach and the abdominal part of the oesophagus are circularly mobilized and move backward towards the chest, this type of hiatal hernia is called a ‘sliding’ hernia.
- If the stomach slides, despite a relatively immobile and fixed oesophagus, inside the chest, the hiatal hernia is called a ‘paraesophageal’ hernia.
The second type of hiatal hernia is not very common, but if left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the top of the stomach.
Gastroesophageal reflux involves the movement of gastric fluid upward into the oesophagus due to weakness in a muscular ring called the cardioesophageal sphincter which functionally isolates the two organs (oesophagus and stomach) during the process of digestion.
It is often due to the presence of a hiatal hernia, which has not been noticed.
The reflux of fluid (acids) into the oesophagus is continuous and does NOT cause symptoms for a long time.
Over time, however, it causes oesophagitis (inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus) that manifests itself in a burning sensation behind the breastbone in the area of the heart, what we commonly call “heartburn”.
“Heartburn” may be described as an acute burning sensation in the area between your ribs or just below the neck.
Many adults experience this unpleasant feeling at least once a month.
Other symptoms may include vomiting, difficulty swallowing and a chronic cough or asthma.