Though the rarer of the two types ofhiatal hernia, it is potentially more serious.
The article explains how paraesophageal hernia compares to the more common jot down, sliding hernia.
It also discusses possible symptoms,causes, diagnosis, and treatment of paraesophageal hernia.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Paraesophageal Hernia vs.
Sliding Hernia
Theesophagusis the swallowing tube between your mouth and stomach.
It travels through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Thegastroesophageal(GE) junction is where the esophagus and the stomach meet.
When you swallow, the esophagus shortens and lengthens.
Sometimes, this motion pulls a part of the stomach or the GE junction up through the hiatus.
Why hernias occur is not well understood, but weak supporting tissues may to blame.
Other possibilities include things that damage or put chronic, excessive pressure on related muscles.
However, if you do have symptoms, they can be serious and may lead to complications.
Treatment
Any paraesophageal hernias that cause symptoms or complications need to be treated withsurgical repair.
For this procedure, the surgeon makes several small incisions in your abdomen so they can insert instruments.
They use those to ease your stomach (or other herniated organ) down through the hiatus.
They then terminate the hiatus so the stomach doesn’t move back up through it.
Sometimes, they’ll use a special mesh for that.
The outcome of most hiatal hernia surgeries is excellent and generally results in few complications.
You should only expect to be in the hospital for a day or two.
Most people can get back to their usual lifestyle within about four weeks of surgery.
Once it becomes symptomatic, you should probably have surgery.
A throw in 4 hiatal hernia is the most severe kind.
It involves the stomach and other abdominal organs moving up into the chest cavity.
They’re rare, accounting for less than 5% of hiatal hernias.
Symptoms of a strangulated hiatal hernia include:
This is a medical emergency.
Call 911 or get to an emergency room right away.
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Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Hiatal hernia.
