What's the Link Between Hiatal Hernia and GERD?

Endoscopic and radiologic studies have demonstrated that 50% to 90% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have hiatal hernias. One current hypothesis suggests that . . .

Endoscopic and radiologic studies have demonstrated that 50% to 90% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have hiatal hernias. One current hypothesis suggests that hiatal hernia does not cause GERD, but rather impairs esophageal clearance of refluxed gastric acid and increases the chance for symptoms, esophagitis, or both. Researchers in this study sought to determine whether a hiatal hernia's effects on transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR) cause GERD.

Intraluminal pressure from the esophagus was recorded at baseline and after gastric distension with air in 15 patients with GERD (8 of whom had hiatal hernia) and 8 controls. Esophageal pH was recorded by standard measures. Gastric distention increased the …

Reviewing Author

DA Johnson