Surgeon Questions surgeon

Can a small hiatal hernia cause problems?

I am a 33 year old male and I have a small hiatal hernia. Can a small hiatal hernia cause problems?

4 Answers

Yes, it can cause stomach/small bowel or colon incarcerated hernia or strangulated hernia.
Only in that it can become a big hiatel hernia and be the source of reflux, acid reduction, and staying away from foods that cause symptoms. Ask your provider about how to improve this, and if you are overweight, weight loss can reduce the symptoms.
Usually, a small hiatal hernia by itself is not a problem but can be significant if you have associated reflux disease. A hernia can also enlarge with time to become a problem.
Small hiatal hernias typically become large hiatal hernias over time. Larger hernias are harder to fix than smaller ones.

If you do develop symptoms, hiatal hernias are typically associated with acid reflux, bloating, and difficulty swallowing.