Hiatal Hernia in Texas
Ready to Consult a GI Physician?
Find a ProviderWhat is a hiatal hernia?
Your esophagus passes through an opening in your diaphragm and then attaches to the stomach. This small hole connecting the two is called the hiatus. A hiatal hernia happens when part of the stomach pushes up through the hiatus and enters the chest cavity. This condition is common among individuals in the United States. If you think you or one of your loved ones may suffer from a hiatal hernia, request a consultation at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants to meet with a gastrointestinal provider in Texas.
What causes a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is generally caused by weak muscles and connective tissue in and around the hiatus. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Age-related changes to the diaphragm
- Injury to your hiatus from trauma or surgery
- People over the age of 50
- An unusually large hiatus
- Excessive coughing
- Vomiting
- Straining during a bowel movement
- Lifting heavy weights
What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?
Hiatal hernia can vary depending on the severity of your condition. There are a few common signs. however, that are likely when a hiatal hernia is present, including:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting blood
- Blackened stool
How are hiatal hernias treated?
If you have a small hiatal hernia, you likely will not need treatment, but our providers at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants are here when you need us. If you are experiencing symptoms, the most common treatment options for a hiatal hernia in Texas include:
- Antacid medications
- Surgery
- Quitting smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing acid reflux with diet
- Sleeping with your head elevated
- Avoiding lying down after a meal
Enhance your digestive wellness
At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, we are dedicated to helping you find solutions to your gastrointestinal needs. If you experience unmanageable heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath in Texas it could be a sign of a hiatial hernia or another GI complication. For more information, we urge you to contact a Texas Digestive Disease Consultants location in your community to request a consultation with one of our gastroenterologists.
Reviews
Exceedingly qualified gastroenterologist, outstanding bedside manners. Office staff and nursing are very thoughtful, thorough and friendly. Had outstanding care. Scheduled for a procedure in few weeks and have no doubt of the excellent care I would receive. Again I saw Dr Padda today for follow up. His calm, most congenial bedside manner made the visit most beneficial. He thoroughly examined me and scheduled me for Gastroscopy to follow up on my GERD/hiatal hernia problem. He is an eminently qualified gastroenterologist without equal.
Wonderful support staff with the best and most helpful mannerisms. Doctor Armstrong also is superior in knowledge, sharing of information and being reassuring to me, the patient. Recommended to everyone.
I have been a patient of. Dr. Shelton for many years & he is a remarkable Dr. I highly recommend him.
He was excellent. I feel like my hiatal hernia is back but he is trying to locate the tear via an upper g.i. study instead of just jumping to an EGD and Colonoscopy. No one enjoys the prep for those test. Still waiting to hear what they found.
Awesome . My first appointment with Dr Evans has me on the road to getting my hiatal hernia repaired again. She recommended a more experienced surgeon for repairing hiatal hernias . Thank you Dr Tanya Evans.
9
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating