What is the difference between hiatal hernia and gerd

Yes: A hiatal hernia can be a cause of food reflux into the esophagus causing heartburn or esophageal injury or esophagitis. Other people with reflux can be from a weakness in the muscle at the junction of the stomach and esophagus without hiatal hernia. Related questions A year-old male asked:. I have a small hiatus hernia. No gerd or heartburn at all. Shud I be worried? Scared to go gym and do weights as it could worsen it? Gastrointerologist thinks my GERD caused by hiatus hernia, endoscopy next week to check, is hiatus hernia dangerous?

Will I die of it? What is the difference between hiatal hernia, gerd, and achalasia? Is It ok to have shots of whiskey a month while on daily lansoprazole for hiatus hernia and GERD? Is it safe to take proprantheline bromide for hyperhydrosis, when I have a small hiatus hernia and GERD? Found in: Hiatal hernia. People also asked What is easy and economical method of diagnosing hiatus hernia? Does GERD means high possibility of hiatus hernia.

Do small hiatus hernia 2cm usually grow larger? No heartburn, no gerd at all. The differences are not related to symptoms, rather, the mechanism of action that causes the symptoms. This subtle difference however can make for differences regarding management and treatment of the condition.

The hiatal hernia acid reflux relationship refers to the pain and discomfort that both conditions lead to. The pain and discomfort is a result of acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus where it does not belong. While the stomach is well lined to protect itself from these volatile liquids, the esophagus is not. When stomach acid enters the esophagus, it quickly causes irritation and inflammation which can lead to persistent symptoms. The symptoms associated with a hiatal hernia and GERD are chest pain, trouble swallowing, burning sensations in the chest, coughing, hiccupping and belching as well as regurgitation and vomiting in some cases, too.

What causes these identical symptoms between conditions is a very subtle difference in the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter LES. This sphincter is in charge of keeping stomach acid from coming up into the esophagus. When it is not functioning correctly or not positioned properly, it is more difficult for it to do its job.

Both hiatal hernia and GERD related symptoms likely result from the malfunction of this sphincter, but what causes it to not work properly in the first place is where the difference may lie. Some links within RefluxMD are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, RefluxMD will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. RefluxMD also receives advertising fees from third-party marketing organizations, such as Google, that post up banner ads for third-party products and services, which RefluxMD does not endorse, and which may not be medical in nature.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Last updated on January 18th, at am What is a hiatal hernia? How is a hiatal hernia is diagnosed? The term hiatal hernia and hiatus hernia are used interchangeably and mean exactly the same thing. Hiatal hernias are extremely common. Hiatal hernias, particularly small ones are usually asymptomatic and you would never know you have one. The presence of a hiatal hernia does not necessarily mean you have gastroesophageal reflux GERD.

However, a significant misunderstanding often occurs over this terminology. This is incorrect and often creates confusion and a misunderstanding on the part of a patient. A hiatal hernia simply describes a very common anatomic abnormality, often with no consequences.

What is the relationship between a hiatal hernia and GERD? But more severe conditions may need surgery to ease the symptoms. When you consume food a circular band of muscles allows food to enter the stomach.

This band is called sphincter which relaxes to allow food into the stomach and then closes once the food is inside the stomach. The sphincter becomes weak in the person suffering from GERD which causes the backflow of stomach acidic contents into your esophagus irritating the mucosa. GERD can result due to Obesity, presence of hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and delayed stomach emptying due to high-fat foods consumption or fried foods.

Hiatal hernia is a protrusion of gastrointestinal junction and stomach parts towards the diaphragm. Whereas, GERD is a condition where the acidic contents of the stomach pass into the esophagus. This may be due to the reduced pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

A hiatal hernia can be a cause of gastro esophageal reflux disorder. But GERD is not a cause of hiatal hernia. For instance, hiatal hernia is related to the anatomic distortion of gastro esophageal junction, stomach parts and maybe also involved in the physiological dysfunction of the LES that may result in acid reflux into the esophagus.

Hiatal hernias can be a contributing factor to the chronic nature of gastro esophageal reflux disease. However, it is also important to note that Hiatal hernias are not the sole contributors of GERD and other factors may also be associated with cause GERD irrespective of hiatal hernia.

Gastro esophageal disease GERD. Symptoms of Hiatal hernia and GERD are easily manageable through dietary changes when the conditions are not so worse.