Treatment:

The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Reducing the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux) will relieve pain. Medications that neutralize stomach acid, decrease acid production, or strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle that prevents acid from backing up into the esphagus) may be prescribed.

Other measures to reduce symptoms include:

• Avoiding large or heavy meals
• Not lying down or bending over right after a meal
• Reducing weight and not smoking

If these measures do not control the symptoms, or you have complications, you may need surgery to repair the hernia.

Expectations (prognosis):

Treatment can relieve most symptoms of hiatal hernia.

Complications:

• Pulmonary (lung) aspiration
• Slow bleeding and iron deficiency anemia (due to a large hernia)
• Strangulation (closing off) of the hernia

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of a hiatal hernia
• You have a hiatal hernia and your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop