What is a Hiatal Hernia?

Your esophagus passes through the diaphragm at a point called the hiatus. The diaphragm is the special muscle separating the stomach from the chest and is used to breathe air into the lungs. Normally, all of the stomach is located below the diaphragm. A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach is located above the diaphragm. 

Although most people do not have heartburn symptoms from a hiatal hernia, studies tell us that a hiatal hernia is one of the leading causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. That is because acid is retained in the hernia allowing longer exposure of acid to the esophagus. Since the esophagus is not protected from acid like the stomach is, damage occurs. There are various sizes and shapes of hernias; the larger they become the more likely they are to cause problems. Treatment consists of medication or surgery. (See Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication)