Hiatal hernias can seriously interfere with your health. At the Center for Advanced Surgery, with offices in Dallas, Plano, and Tyler, Texas, board-certified gastroesophageal surgeons Marc Ward, MD, FACS, and Steven Leeds, MD, FACS, can diagnose and treat your hiatal hernia.
Whether you need help adjusting your diet or a plan for surgery, you can count on our expertise to solve your hiatal hernia problem.
If you have a hiatal hernia, or think you might have a similar gastroesophageal problem, a medical examination at the Center for Advanced Surgery can provide you with your diagnosis and next steps.
These are the important signs and symptoms of a hiatal hernia that Dr. Ward and Dr. Leeds keep an eye on.
Your digestive system works with a one-way flow. Food enters your mouth, passes through your throat and esophagus, and down into your abdomen to be digested in your stomach. After that, it’s on to your eliminatory tract and bowel. When things start to back up, uncomfortable symptoms and signs of deeper medical problems can appear.
One of the areas where your gastroesophageal flow might encounter issues is in the hiatus, the area where your diaphragm opens to allow your esophagus to run through to your abdomen.
If you develop a hiatal hernia in this location, your stomach presses through that opening and up into your chest. You could have one of multiple types of hiatal hernia, and your condition may worsen over time.
You could develop a hiatal hernia as a result of trauma or surgery in your abdominal area. Many people also experience weakening in the diaphragm due to age, which can lead to a hiatal hernia. Severe cases of chronic coughing can also cause a hiatal hernia by putting pressure on your diaphragm.
Hiatal hernias lead to digestive difficulties and frequent abdominal discomfort. You might have frequent heartburn, acid reflux, or even regurgitation. Patients with a hiatal hernia also sometimes experience sensations of chest pain, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath.
You might have few symptoms initially, but your condition may worsen over time.
Vomiting and acid reflux can be hard on your teeth and esophagus, with potential long-term health impacts. That’s why you need to get your hiatal hernia treated early. If you notice signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, like blood in your vomit or stool, get medical attention promptly.
At the Center for Advanced Surgery, we specialize in minimally invasive surgical repair for hiatal and paraesophageal hernias. This treatment method allows us to fix your hernia without large incisions or long recovery times. Often, we can perform your procedure on an outpatient basis.
For help diagnosing and treating a hiatal hernia, get in touch with the Center for Advanced Surgery today. Call now, or book your appointment online.
