What Is a Hiatal Hernia? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Treating a hiatal hernia can involve lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery.

Recommended lifestyle changes are generally aimed at reducing symptoms of GERD and may include losing weight, avoiding acidic, fried, or fatty foods, and quitting smoking.

Your doctor may also recommend the following medications to treat GERD:

Antacids These drugs neutralize stomach acid; over-the-counter antacids include brands like Mylanta, Rolaids, and Tums.

H2-Receptor Blockers These drugs reduce acid production and include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid), and (ranitidine (Zantac).

Surgery may also be needed if you have a strangulated hernia or severe GERD that isn’t responding well to lifestyle measures and medication.

To surgically repair a hiatal hernia, your doctor will pull the entire stomach back down into your abdomen and make the opening in your diaphragm smaller.

If needed, your surgeon may also repair your esophageal sphincter — the muscle that normally prevents your stomach contents from flowing back into your esophagus.

This surgery is usually done laparoscopically — involving several small incisions and using a flexible tube containing a light and camera to view the inside of your abdomen and chest.

Prevention of a Hiatal Hernia

It is difficult to prevent a hiatal hernia, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and minimize any symptoms. These include maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.

If you have a hiatal hernia that leads to GERD, the following lifestyle changes can help prevent episodes of GERD:

• Losing weight
• Reducing meal and portion size
• Avoiding acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus fruit
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
• Limiting carbonated beverages
• Limiting fried and fatty foods
• Eating at least three to four hours before lying down
• Keeping your head and torso elevated at least 6 inches when you rest or sleep
• Quitting smoking 

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