What Is a Hiatal Hernia?
5. Symptoms: Heartburn
Hiatal hernias in themselves do not cause symptoms. However, they may predispose to acid reflux or worsen this symptom in some individuals. Heartburn is a sensation of discomfort or burning pain in the upper- chest that usually worsens when lying down. This condition is caused when the contents of the stomach are able to escape the stomach, through the esophageal sphincter, towards the lower part of the esophagus.
These juices are caustic, after all, they help us to break down our food, but our stomachs have a protective lining to keep them safe from the acidity. Our esophagus, however, has no such protective lining and the acids can damage it as a result. If you experience chronic heartburn, seek medical attention to check for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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