A hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and helps to keep acid from rising up into the esophagus.
There are two types of hiatal hernias: sliding and paraesophageal. In a sliding hiatal hernia, the stomach and gastroesophageal junction (the point where the esophagus meets the stomach) slide up into the chest through the hiatus. This is by far the most common type of hiatal hernia. A paraesophageal hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges through the hiatus alongside or next to (but not above) your esophagus. This type of hernia is much less common but can be more serious because it increases your risk for strangulation, which occurs when blood flow to part of your intestine or other organ is cut off due to pressure on that area.
Certain activities or conditions can aggravate symptoms associated with a hiatal hernia, such as heartburn and regurgitation. These include:
* Eating large meals or lying down right after eating
* Wearing tight clothing around your waist
* Being overweight or obese
* Smoking cigarettes
* Drinking alcohol