Quick read
Key points
- 1
A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which can allow stomach acid to reflux more easily into the oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. Many people with a hiatus hernia have no symptoms at all, and it's often found incidentally during tests for other reasons.
- 2
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
- 3
You have persistent heartburn or acid reflux symptoms
01 · Know
What is Hiatus Hernia?
A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which can allow stomach acid to reflux more easily into the oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. Many people with a hiatus hernia have no symptoms at all, and it's often found incidentally during tests for other reasons.
When it does cause symptoms, treatment usually focuses on managing the associated acid reflux with lifestyle changes and medication, with surgery reserved for more severe or persistent cases that don't respond to other treatment.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Many hiatus hernias cause no symptoms and need no treatment
A hiatus hernia found incidentally, without any associated symptoms, generally doesn't need specific treatment — management is guided by symptoms, not simply the presence of the hernia itself.
03 · Act
When to See a Doctor
- 1You have persistent heartburn or acid reflux symptoms
- 2You experience difficulty or pain when swallowing
- 3You have chest discomfort that concerns you
- 4You've been diagnosed and have questions about managing your symptoms
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Managing Reflux Symptoms Is the Main Focus, Not the Hernia Itself
Treatment for a hiatus hernia generally focuses on managing associated acid reflux symptoms through lifestyle changes and medication, since the hernia itself often doesn't need direct treatment unless symptoms are severe.
- 1Eat smaller, more frequent meals.This reduces pressure that can worsen reflux symptoms.
- 2Avoid lying down soon after eating.Waiting a few hours helps reduce nighttime reflux.
- 3Elevate the head of your bed.This can help reduce symptoms overnight.
- 4Maintain a healthy weight.Excess weight can increase pressure that worsens hiatus hernia symptoms.
- 5Take antacid or acid-reducing medication as advised.These help manage the reflux symptoms associated with a hiatus hernia.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Hiatus hernia ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
A hiatus hernia often causes no symptoms and needs no treatment, with management focused on any associated acid reflux when it does cause symptoms.
Difficulty or pain swallowing should always be assessed by a doctor, regardless of a known hiatus hernia diagnosis.