Hiatal Hernia Specialist in Augusta GA

Hiatal Hernia Specialist in Augusta GA

A hernia is a protrusion of part of an organ through the muscle wall that surrounds it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes up into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. A hiatal hernia results in retention of acid and other contents, since the stomach tends to get squeezed by this opening in the diaphragm. These acids and other substances can easily back up (reflux or regurgitate) into the esophagus.

There are four types of hiatal hernias. The vast majority of hiatal hernias are called a type I or sliding hiatal hernias. In this type, the stomach intermittently slides up into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm. Types II, III, and IV hiatal hernias are called paraesophageal hernias. They happen when a portion of the stomach pushes up into the chest adjacent to the esophagus.

Most of the time, a hiatal hernia does not cause symptoms. Heartburn, belching, nausea, vomiting, and regurgitation - or backflow of stomach content into the esophagus or throat - are the most common symptoms. They can be present in all four types. More severe symptoms are usually associated with a paraesophageal hernia. Those signs and symptoms include:

• Intermittent difficulty swallowing, especially solid foods

• Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food

• Abdominal or chest pain

• Abdominal bleeding, which is apparent as bright red blood in vomit, as dark red or black stools, or as anemia, or blood loss, on a blood test

What causes hiatal hernia?

The cause of a hiatal hernia is unknown, but possible triggers include the following:

• Coughing

• Vomiting

• Straining while defecating (having a bowel movement)

• Sudden physical exertion

• Pregnancy

Treatment for Hiatal Hernia in Augusta GA

As chiropractors in Augusta GA and chiropractors in Evans GA that specialize in customized care, we have helped many patients suffering with hiatal hernia.  We can perform a simple yet highly effective adjustment that actually helps to shift the stomach downward, back into its normal position. Once this is achieved, we can prescribe exercises to help you strengthen your abdominal muscles, since weakness or injury in this area may well have encourages the hernia to develop in the first place.  You can schedule a complimentary consultation with our office to find out if our customized treatments are the right fit for your condition.