Unlike an abdominal wall hernia this hernia, occurs between the chest and the abdominal cavity. It is a portion of the stomach moving up into the chest. This happens because the lower esophageal valve or sphincter is distorted by the hiatus hernia. The more reflux, the more inflamed the valve and the more incompetent the valve. Chest pain and pressure also occur, as does back and shoulder pain.
Patients have trouble bending over or lying flat, because the heartburn increases.
Patient are told to decrease the amount of food and liquid the consume. Nothing 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Stop eating certain food like coffee, chocolate, peppermint, stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Most patient find that, even if they follow these rules, they get no relief. In order to deal with the acid reflux, antacids are started.