Hiatus hernia

Hiatus hernia - when part of the stomach slides up into the thoracic cavity - is a very common finding, especially in elderly people. Very often a hiatus hernia does not cause any symptoms, and no therapy is needed. A sliding hiatal hernia does reduce the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter and may delay the clearance of acid from the oesophagus, contributing to reflux disease. Pregnancy and obesity increases the intra-abdominal pressure and can be the reason for development of a hiatal hernia. Turning the tip of the gastroscope up inside the stomach gives an excellent view of the fundus- and hiatus-region. In a patient with a sliding hiatal hernia, an opening to the hernia (x) can be seen, and it is easy to understand, that a situation like this can cause reflux to the oesophagus.

		NORMAL