Does a Hiatal Hernia Heal on Its Own?
The title of this month’s blog asks whether hiatal hernias can heal on their own, and the answer is a simple no. In fact, no hernia, once it has developed, can heal by itself. But they can exist without incident.
If, however, your hiatal hernia has become problematic and it’s causing side effects, management is key. Furthermore, there are instances in which the problem can threaten blood supply in your abdomen and surgery provides the only solution.
To help you better understand the ins and outs of hiatal hernias, the team of skilled surgeons at Rockwall Surgical Specialists focuses on this type of hernia in this month’s blog.
Behind a hiatal hernia
A hernia is a condition in which a piece of tissue protrudes into another space. In the case of a hiatal hernia, a piece of the top of your stomach bulges through your diaphragm.
This development can occur in people of all ages and both sexes, but 50% of hiatal hernias develop in people over age 60, and 15-20% of pregnant women develop a hiatal hernia.
While these numbers may seem daunting, hiatal hernias cause symptoms in less than 10% of those who have this type of bulge. When symptoms do develop, they generally mimic those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and include:
- Heartburn
- An acid taste in the back of your mouth
- Bloating
- Frequent belching
- Discomfort in your stomach or esophagus
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention to prevent irreparable damage to your esophagus.
Treating symptomatic hiatal hernias
If your hiatal hernia is causing symptoms, you first work with your doctor to control and manage these symptoms. Because most side effects are similar to those that accompany GERD, you can expect to start with conservative GERD treatments that include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller, more frequent meals and not eating before bedtime
- Avoiding caffeine, fried foods, and acidic foods
- Sleeping with your head and chest slightly elevated
- Antacids
If your hiatal hernia doesn’t respond to these measures, it might be time to look at a surgical repair with a member of the Rockwall Surgical Specialists team.
Another instance in which surgery is the best course of action is when a piece of the bulging tissue twists in a way that cuts off blood supply. This is an emergent situation, and surgery is the only way to undo the twist and save the tissue.
Surgical repair of your hiatal hernia
Our team has considerable experience repairing hernias, and we use the most advanced surgical techniques available. For a hiatal hernia, we use laparoscopy, a technique in which we only make small incisions to access and repair your hernia.
When we say repair, we first move the protruding tissue back into place. Then we place a mesh over the weak spot in your diaphragm to prevent the stomach tissue from pushing through that area again.
If you’d like to learn more about surgical treatment for symptomatic hiatal hernias, please contact us at one of our locations — in Rowlett, Rockwall, Greenville, Terrell, or Forney, Texas — to set up an appointment.