A hiatal hernia is when a small part of your stomach bulges through a hole in your diaphragm called a hiatus. In some cases, a hiatal hernia may lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A hiatal hernia is common in people ages 50 years and older.

However, if left untreated, a hiatal hernia may cause persistent acid reflux symptoms that could lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Keep reading to learn more about the connection between hiatal hernias and GERD and how to treat it.

A hiatal hernia happens when a part of your upper stomach protrudes through the hiatus in your diaphragm and into your chest region.

The diaphragm is a muscle between your chest and stomach that helps you breathe. The hiatus at the top of your diaphragm is an opening that allows your esophagus to connect to your stomach.

In many cases, hiatal hernias don’t cause any symptoms.

However, hiatal hernias may cause GERD-like symptoms, such as:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which stomach contents frequently rise back up into your esophagus. This may cause frequent symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux, and bloating.

GERD affects up to 1 in 5 people in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A hiatal hernia may cause acid reflux and GERD if left untreated.

A hiatal hernia could impact the function of your lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a circular band at the bottom of the esophagus, where it meets your stomach. The LES has two primary functions:

  • When you swallow, it relaxes and opens to allow food and liquid to travel from the mouth to the stomach.
  • After, it closes tightly to prevent acidic contents from rising back up into the stomach.

If a hiatal hernia impacts the LES, digestive juices could rise back up into your esophagus, leading to GERD-like symptoms. If left untreated, this could eventually cause GERD.

It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you frequently experience symptoms of acid reflux. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.

A healthcare professional will begin by performing a medical history and physical examination. They will ask you questions about the types, frequency, and severity of your symptoms.

A doctor may order several tests if they think you have a hiatal hernia or GERD. These may include:

These tests could also help a doctor detect any damage that may have been caused by acid reflux and whether other causes are responsible for your symptoms, such as tumors.

Treatment for acid reflux and GERD caused by a hiatal hernia will depend on several factors, such as:

  • the size of the hiatal hernia
  • the severity and frequency of your symptoms
  • your overall health condition

Lifestyle and dietary changes

Small hiatal hernias that show up on diagnostic tests but remain asymptomatic may only need to be monitored to ensure they don’t become large enough to cause discomfort.

A healthcare professional may recommend some lifestyle and dietary changes to help relieve or prevent occasional GERD symptoms, such as:

  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • quitting smoking, if you smoke
  • eating smaller, more frequent meals
  • avoiding lying down after eating
  • sleeping with your head elevated
  • avoiding certain foods, such as tomato and citrus products, caffeine, alcohol, and greasy foods

Medications

If you experience occasional acid reflux symptoms, a healthcare professional may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications like antacids to relieve your symptoms.

In more severe cases of GERD, a doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve symptoms and the lining of your esophagus from hernia-related damage. These medications may include:

Surgery

A doctor may recommend surgery to repair a hiatal hernia if drug therapy, diet modifications, and lifestyle adjustments don’t manage symptoms well enough.

You may be an ideal candidate for hiatal hernia surgery if you have:

Hiatal hernia surgery is now less invasive and cheaper than it used to be. Different types of surgery, including laparoscopy and fundoplication, are available for hiatal hernia and GERD.

Learn more about surgery options for GERD.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms of acid reflux and GERD for 3 weeks and they don’t improve with OTC treatments.

Get immediate medical attention

Get immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing:

Does a hiatal hernia cause GERD?

Yes, a hiatal hernia can cause GERD if left untreated.

Can a hiatal hernia be cured?

The only way to cure a hiatal hernia is with surgery. However, many people don’t require surgery for hiatal hernias.

What does an inflamed hiatal hernia feel like?

Symptoms of a hiatal hernia may include heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, and difficulty swallowing.

A hiatal hernia is when a small part of your upper stomach protrudes from the hiatus, which is the opening at the top of your diaphragm.

If left untreated, a hiatal hernia may cause acid reflux and GERD.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you experience acid reflux symptoms frequently. They could provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.