PreOp Patient Education
Friday, March 29, 2024

Audio Presentation

Hernia - Hiatal

Open Repair


Your Body
  Your Body
  Alternatives
  Medical Record
  Anesthesia
  Before Surgery
  Your Procedure
  Recovery
This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Before we talk about treatment, let's start with a discussion about the human body and about your medical condition.

Your doctor has recommended that you undergo surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. But what does that actually mean?
Your doctor has recommended that you undergo surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. But what does that actually mean?
Your diaphragm is a muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and helps you to breathe.
Your diaphragm is a muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and helps you to breathe.
Normally, the diaphragm has an opening for the esophagus to pass through where it connects with the stomach.
Normally, the diaphragm has an opening for the esophagus to pass through where it connects with the stomach.
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes upward through this small opening.
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes upward through this small opening.
Your hiatal hernia may be causing considerable discomfort, with symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain and belching. The reasons why hiatal hernias form are not known, but they are quite common.
Your hiatal hernia may be causing considerable discomfort, with symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain and belching. The reasons why hiatal hernias form are not known, but they are quite common.
A hernia is dangerous only if it becomes strangulated. That means that the portion of the stomach that is pushed up into the chest may become pinched - preventing blood from reaching it.
A hernia is dangerous only if it becomes strangulated. That means that the portion of the stomach that is pushed up into the chest may become pinched - preventing blood from reaching it.
If this happens, you may require emergency surgery to restore blood flow and to repair the hernia.
If this happens, you may require emergency surgery to restore blood flow and to repair the hernia.
Luckily, the vast majority of hernias are not considered to be emergencies. However, if you should ever feel a sudden onset of severe pain in your chest or stomach, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Luckily, the vast majority of hernias are not considered to be emergencies. However, if you should ever feel a sudden onset of severe pain in your chest or stomach, you should seek medical attention immediately.

So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.


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