What is a Hiatal Hernia Specialist?

A medical professional who handles the diagnosis and treatment of hiatal hernias is often referred to as a hiatal hernia specialist. A hiatal hernia develops when the top portion of a person's stomach pushes upward through the opening in his diaphragm. An individual may be entirely unaware that this issue exists, as it may not cause any noticeable symptoms. When it does cause a problem, however, a hiatal hernia specialist can provide treatment.

A hiatal hernia specialist diagnoses and treats patients who have a type of hernia in which the top of the stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm that is called the esophageal hiatus. This is the hole through which the esophagus, which is the tube food travels through on its way to the stomach, extends. When a person has a hiatal hernia, this opening may be abnormally large and allow the top of the stomach to extend into the chest.

Interestingly, people with this type of hernia do not always need the help of a hiatus hernia specialist. In many cases, a person has this condition without any noticeable symptoms. In a minority of patients, however, such symptoms as heartburn and nausea may develop. Sometimes a person also experiences nausea and vomiting as a result of this abnormality. Often, a hiatal hernia specialist will investigate the possible presence of this condition based on these symptoms, but in other cases, a doctor may discover the condition by accident when treating the patient for another illness or condition.

A hiatal hernia specialist may recommend a couple of common procedures in an effort to diagnose this type of hernia. For example, he may order x-rays of the patient's upper body as part of the diagnosis process. He may also use an endoscopy, which involves the use of a tiny camera that is threaded into the body, to help with diagnosis.

Once a hiatal hernia specialist is sure his patient has this condition, he will determine whether or not treatment is necessary. If the hernia does not cause symptoms, a patient may not need treatment. If the condition is causing symptoms, however, the hiatal hernia specialist may recommend surgery for the patient. In such a case, the specialist will usually work to place the stomach back into its normal position and make the opening in the diaphragm smaller. Additionally, he may take steps to secure the patient's esophagus to his diaphragm.