Hiatal Hernia Surgery San Diego
What is Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Surgery?
Laparoscopic Hiatal hernia surgery is a surgical procedure to address discomfort and issues caused by a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach moves up through the diaphragm into your chest.
Your diaphragm contains an opening through which the esophagus passes through before connecting to the stomach. A hiatal hernia occurs when the weakness of the diaphragm allows a small portion of the stomach to protrude through the opening and into the muscles between the abdomen and chest.
A small hernia will usually never cause problems, however, a larger hiatal hernia causes discomfort and leads to severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This is when stomach acid is allowed to travel back up the esophagus when eating, causing a burning sensation in the chest.
Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation of food or liquids into mouth
- Acid reflux
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
*If you are experiencing the following symptoms, please consult your doctor immediately.
Risk Factors
Hiatal hernias are common in people who are:
- Older than 50
- Suffer from obesity