What is the difference between a hiatus hernia and a hiatal hernia
Andrew Campbell
Published Feb 23, 2026
A hiatal hernia is when your stomach bulges up into your chest through an opening in your diaphragm, the muscle that separates the two areas. The opening is called the hiatus, so this condition is also called a hiatus hernia.
What are the 3 types of hiatal hernia?
Mittal et al3 divided the hiatal hernia to 3 types, type 1 (sliding hiatal hernia) is when the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and stomach is located above the diaphragmatic hiatus and the EGJ is located above the gastric fundus, type 2 (paraesophageal hiatal hernia) is when the EGJ is located at or below the level of …
What happens if a hiatal hernia is left untreated?
If left untreated, Hiatal hernias can rarely become trapped in the chest or strangulated—which means the hernia begins to cut off blood to the entrapped intestine. Strangulated Hiatal hernias can cause sudden pain in the chest and requires immediate medical attention.
What are the 2 types of hiatal hernia?
There are two main types of hiatal hernias: sliding and paraesophageal (next to the esophagus). In a sliding hiatal hernia, the stomach and the section of the esophagus that joins the stomach slide up into the chest through the hiatus.What causes hiatus hernia to flare up?
Injury to the area, for example, after trauma or certain types of surgery. Being born with an unusually large hiatus. Persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles, such as while coughing, vomiting, straining during a bowel movement, exercising or lifting heavy objects.
What does a hiatal hernia feel like for a woman?
Hiatal hernias, especially Type I hernias, do not usually cause symptoms. They may, however, be associated with the following: burping, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and/or regurgitation into the esophagus. A paraesophageal hernia, or Type II, III, or IV hernia, may cause more severe symptoms.
Does omeprazole help with hiatus hernia?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) Reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach. They are usually the first treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which can be a symptom of hiatus hernia and include omeprazole and lansoprazole.
How do I know if my hiatal hernia is getting worse?
Symptoms of a hiatal hernia heartburn that gets worse when you lean over or lie down. acid reflux or GERD. chest pain or epigastric pain. trouble swallowing.Where is hiatal hernia pain located?
Pain: At times, a hiatal hernia causes chest pain or upper abdominal pain when the stomach becomes trapped above the diaphragm through the narrow esophageal hiatus.
Can a hiatal hernia affect your breathing?Breathing problems Sometimes with large hiatus hernias, there is so much of the stomach protruding into the chest that it presses on your lungs and can make breathing more difficult. See your doctor if you are having difficulty breathing.
Article first time published onHow can a doctor tell if you have a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is often discovered during a test or procedure to determine the cause of heartburn or chest or upper abdominal pain. These tests or procedures include: X-ray of your upper digestive system. X-rays are taken after you drink a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract.
What are the warning signs of a hernia?
- An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. …
- A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
- Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
- A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.
Can you live with a hernia without surgery?
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
What is the best painkiller for hiatus hernia?
Best medications for hiatal herniaPepcid (famotidine)H2 antagonistOTCNexium (esomeprazole)Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)OTCxPrilosec (omeprazole)Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)OTC or RxPrevacid (lansoprazole)Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)OTC or Rx
How can a hiatal hernia make you feel?
You are likely to feel severe chest pain if you have a strangulated hiatal hernia. 6 Heart palpitations and shortness of breath are also common. Other sensations can include nausea, difficulty swallowing, and bloating.
Does drinking water help hiatal hernia?
Hiatal hernia treatment often involves medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes. These at-home exercises may help push the stomach back down through the diaphragm to relieve symptoms: Drink a glass of warm water first thing in the morning.
Does Gaviscon work for hiatus hernia?
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications A person may wish to try using OTC medications to alleviate acid reflux that has occurred due to a hiatal hernia. Antacids, such as Gaviscon or Tums, may help alleviate GERD symptoms.
Does Gaviscon help hiatus hernia?
For neutralizing acid, over-the-counter medications such as Maalox®, Tums®, and Pepto-Bismol® may subdue symptoms. Another product, Gaviscon®, neutralizes stomach acid and forms a barrier to block acid rising into the esophagus.
Is ice cream bad for hiatal hernia?
Hiatal Hernia: Foods That May Cause Symptoms The following foods are highly acidic or may weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, making it easier for stomach acids to back up into your esophagus. They may cause heartburn symptoms. Dairy products, such as whole milk, ice cream, and creamed food.
Does a hiatal hernia hurt when you press on it?
You’re more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing up, bending down, or coughing. Discomfort or pain in the area around the lump may also be present. Some types of hernia, such as hiatal hernias, can have more specific symptoms. These can include heartburn, trouble swallowing, and chest pain.
Can a hiatal hernia affect your heart rate?
Get medical help immediately if: You know you have a large hernia and you experience severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or trouble swallowing. You develop heartburn along with nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, or you feel like your heart is beating too hard or too fast.
Can a hernia cause changes in bowel movements?
In men, large hernias can extend into the scrotum, causing pain and swelling. Incarcerated hernia. If the contents of the hernia become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, the contents can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
Can hernia cause pain under ribs?
Sometimes pain is felt in the chest, in the back, the diaphragm and behind the ribs during or after meals and can then feel like cramp. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it may be a sign of a hiatal hernia.
What side should I sleep on with a hiatal hernia?
Tip #1: Sleep On Your Left Side If your heartburn is very severe, consider using a small pillow under your waist to protect the stomach and a third between the legs. This places the stomach below the esophagus, reducing stomach acid from rising into it.
What exercises help hiatal hernia?
- Lie down or sit in a comfortable position, placing one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
- Breathe in as deeply as you can until you can feel your stomach press against your hand.
- Hold, then exhale and feel your stomach move back away from your hand. Repeat for several breaths each day.
How can I make my hiatal hernia stop hurting?
- losing weight (if needed)
- decreasing food portion sizes.
- eating several smaller meals throughout the day (as opposed to a few large meals)
- elevating the head of your bed by 8 inches.
- avoiding meals 2 to 3 hours before bedtime or before lying down.
Does hiatal hernia cause coughing?
In some people with a hiatal hernia, it refluxes into the lower esophagus that sets off nervous reflexes that can cause a cough or even spasm of the small airways within the lungs people.
Can a hernia make your back hurt?
Can Hernias Cause Back Pain? The short answer is yes, hernias can cause back pain. Before we dive in any deeper, let’s briefly talk about what exactly a hernia is. Hernias occur when an organ or piece of tissue pushes out of a muscle wall, resulting in pain and potential blood flow issues.
What is the best medicine for hernia?
If you have a hiatal hernia, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that reduce stomach acid can relieve your discomfort and improve symptoms. These include antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.
When should you worry about a hiatal hernia?
Get medical care immediately. You are being treated for heartburn or hiatal hernia, and you feel sudden chest or stomach pain, have difficulty swallowing, are vomiting, or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas; you may have a hernia that has become obstructed or strangulated, which are emergencies.
Can a hernia cause back and hip pain?
What started as pressure or discomfort can turn into pain. The pain may not just be in the area of the hernia; it can radiate to your hip, back, leg — even to the genitals. As your hernia gets worse, many aspects of your life will get worse right along with it.