A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach protrudes into your chest cavity through a weakness in the hiatus (opening) in your diaphragm.

Hiatal hernias are common, especially among people who are overweight. In most instances, a hiatal hernia causes no symptoms and is of no significance. You may not even know that you have one, unless your doctor discovers it after a routine X-ray.

On the other hand, you may be all too familiar with one of its most common symptoms:...