A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach extends into the chest through the opening in the diaphragm (from the mouth to the stomach).
The chest cavity is separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm. The oesophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm from the mouth to the stomach. In a healthy body, this opening is just large enough for the oesophagus and no other organs can pass through the opening, but this can also go wrong.
If the opening is a little too wide, the stomach can partially enter the chest along the opening. If this is the case, it is referred to as a stomach hernia.
Please contact your treating doctor for more information.
Your treating doctor will discuss the treatment options with you.
