Symptoms of sliding hiatus hernia
Many hiatal hernias may go undetected because people with them experience no symptoms. The most common symptom of the sliding hiatus hernia is heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux.
Usually the lower end of the esophagus prevents acid and food in the stomach from backing up into the esophagus. But when the lower end of the esophagus is no longer located in the correct position, it does not work as well as it should. It allows acid and food from the stomach back into the esophagus. And although the stomach can withstand acid, the esophagus was not designed with acid protection in mind. So when stomach acid comes in contact with your esophagus, you feel pain and burning as well as a number of other symptoms of heartburn. The symptoms are often worse after eating, lying down, or after consuming caffeine, alcohol, peppermint, chocolate, fatty or fried foods, certain medications, or after smoking. The heartburn symptoms are often relieved with sitting or standing, drinking water, or taking antacids.
Symptoms of paraesophageal hiatus hernia
A paraesophageal hiatus hernia frequently has no symptoms at all unless the part of the stomach that is poking into the chest through the hole in your diaphragm becomes stuck or twisted. In this case, people may experience difficulty swallowing, bleeding, a pressure sensation in their chest, or difficulty breathing. Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux is uncommon in this type of hiatus hernia.
