Hiatal Hernia

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about any history of heartburn or chest discomfort, especially if it seems to be related to eating a heavy meal, bending forward or heavy lifting.

Your doctor may suspect that you have a hiatal hernia based on your symptoms and risk factors (age, obesity, smoking, occupation that requires heavy lifting). To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:

• Chest X-ray - A simple X-ray may show a large hiatal hernia.

• Esophagoscopy - A viewing tube is inserted down the throat to inspect the esophagus.

• Barium swallow - You swallow a fluid containing barium, which appears white on X-ray films. The path of the barium can outline the position of the hernia in the chest or it can show that stomach contents are leaking backwards into the esophagus.

• Manometry - This test measures pressure to diagnose abnormal muscle movements inside the esophagus.

Because many people with hiatal hernias are in the same age group that commonly experiences coronary artery disease, and because the symptoms of the two disorders may be very similar, the doctor may order an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Expected Duration

In some people, a hiatal hernia slowly worsens over time and eventually requires treatment. In other people, however, the condition never causes symptoms, never gets worse, and never has a significant impact on health or life.