Hatal hernia can be seen in almost one in every 5 people in society. Hiatal Hernia, that is, giant stomach hernia, constitutes only 1-2 percent of stomach hernias.
What is Giant Stomach Hernia?
Giant stomach hernia. A hernia means that at least one third of the stomach passes into the chest cavity, unlike where it should be. Hiatal hernia is a more general definition. Giant hiatal hernia is a subgroup within this. Normally, stomach hernia is found in 15-20% of the population. In other words, while a stomach hernia is seen in 1 in 5 people, a giant stomach hernia is seen in 1 to 2 percent of this group.
What are the Symptoms of Giant Stomach Hernia (Hyatal Hernia)?
“What are the symptoms of giant hiatal hernia?” “A sign of a giant hiatal hernia?” Questions such as "Does a giant hiatal hernia cause shortness of breath?", "What are the complaints of a giant hiatal hernia?" are among the most frequently asked questions about giant hiatal hernia.
Normal hiatal hernia may sometimes not cause any symptoms. However, it is rare that giant hiatal hernia progresses without symptoms. The symptom of giant hiatal hernia usually appears as reflux.
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Stomach acid coming into the mouth (reflux)
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Nausea
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Touching the consumed food
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Feeling of fullness despite eating little
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Back pain
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Feeling uncomfortable after eating
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Giant hiatal hernia may occur with symptoms such as shortness of breath.
However, giant hiatal hernia may also have very specific symptoms.
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One third of the stomach is located in the chest cavity instead of the abdominal cavity, where it should normally be, and the stomach part located in the chest cavity is very large. causes ulcers to form. Ulcers in the stomach can cause bleeding. Because of these bleedings, giant hiatal hernia can only occur with the symptom of anemia.
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Giant hiatal hernia can also show symptoms with a feeling of pressure on the heart. In a giant hiatal hernia, the stomach is not where it should be but in the space just behind the heart. After eating, patients may experience heart damage as a result of stomach swelling. It may cause arrhythmia or palpitations by applying pressure. Many patients actually apply to the hospital with these complaints, mistaking the symptoms of giant hiatal hernia for heart disease.
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Due to the anatomical change in giant hiatal hernia, patients get full very quickly. Patients are particularly disturbed by gas-causing foods.
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Although rare, giant hiatal hernia can also cause symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing.
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Deformation in the esophagus may be a symptom of giant mite hernia. If the stomach is higher than where it should be, it may cause shortening and warping in the esophagus.
What are the Causes of Giant Stomach Hernia?
Although the causes of giant hiatal hernia are not well known, there are some risk factors. Especially situations where intra-abdominal pressure increases can be the cause of giant hiatal hernia.
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Giant hiatal hernias can be seen because intra-abdominal pressure increases during pregnancy.
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Frequent weight gain and loss may be the cause of giant hiatal hernia.
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Excessive straining,
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Chronic constipation
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Lifting too heavy can cause giant stomach hernia because it increases intra-abdominal pressure.
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One of the most important risk factors in giant stomach hernia is kyphosis, that is, hunchback. Patients who hunch over may also have problems with their diaphragm muscles, which can cause a giant hiatal hernia.
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Giant hiatal hernia can also occur in women with osteoporosis, as kyphosis can occur.
Diagnosis of Giant Stomach Hernia
“How is giant stomach hernia diagnosed?”, “How is giant stomach hernia diagnosed?” Questions such as these are among the topics that patients are curious about. Due to the symptoms, giant hiatal hernia can be confused with different diseases, especially heart diseases. Since the stomach protrudes into the area just behind the heart, unlike where it should normally be, diagnosing a giant hiatal hernia can be difficult if it is not carefully examined.
Therefore, the examination by a doctor specialized in giant hiatal hernia and the patient's history are important in diagnostic care. n is very important. Giant hiatal hernia cannot be detected by looking from the outside.
Examinations to be performed to diagnose giant hiatal hernia;
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X-ray: Lung radiography may not always be sufficient for the diagnosis of giant hiatal hernia. Dark air seen just behind the heart on a chest X-ray may raise suspicion of a giant hiatal hernia. However, most of the time, x-ray is not sufficient for the diagnosis of giant hiatal hernia.
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Computed Tomography (CT): Computed tomography gives definitive results in the diagnosis of giant hiatal hernia. It can be clearly seen in computerized tomography imaging that the stomach is located behind the heart, higher than where it should be anatomically.
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Endoscopy: Another method used in the diagnosis of giant hiatal hernia is endoscopy. Under normal conditions, it is necessary to enter the stomach after passing the diaphragm, but in a giant hiatal hernia, the stomach is reached before the diaphragm.
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Barium film: Also known as medicated film, imaging is performed by having the patient drink a contrast agent. Giant hiatal hernia can be diagnosed with this method.
Due to the symptoms experienced, patients often go to different departments with complaints of shortness of breath or heart palpitations. After a detailed check by the doctor, the diagnosis of giant stomach hernia can be clarified with radiological imaging deemed necessary for diagnosis.
How is Giant Stomach Hernia Treated?
“Giant Stomach Hernia Treatment ”, “How is giant stomach hernia treated?, “Can giant stomach hernia be treated with medication?” Questions such as these are the topics that patients are most curious about.
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The treatment of giant stomach hernia is surgery.
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Giant stomach. Hernia cannot be treated with medication.
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Treatment methods such as medication, diet or exercise are only aimed at reducing the complaints of patients suffering from giant hiatal hernia.
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Patients diagnosed with giant hiatal hernia can be completely treated if they are operated on at the right time and by experts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Stomach Hernia
Giant Stomach Hernia How is the surgery performed?
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Giant stomach hernia surgery is usually performed laparoscopically, that is, closed surgery.
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The upper abdomen In giant stomach hernia surgery, which is performed through 4 or 5 holes in the stomach, the stomach is placed where it should be.
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During giant hiatal hernia surgery, while the stomach is placed in the area where it should be, it is checked whether the esophagus is in the right place and length.
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During giant stomach hernia surgery, the diaphragm muscle is also stitched and narrowed.
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Surgical procedures required to prevent reflux are also performed in giant stomach hernia. It is performed during surgery.
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No tissue is removed in giant stomach hernia surgery. Giant hiatal hernia surgery is the surgery to correct the damaged anatomy.
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If the diaphragm muscle tunnel through which the stomach passes is very weak, this muscle is strengthened by using a supporting artificial material during the surgery.
What is the Difference Between Hiatal Hernia and Giant Hiatal Hernia?
Hatal hernia is a superscript. Even a 2 cm part of the stomach protruding into the chest is a hiatal hernia. However, in order for the stomach hernia to be defined as a giant stomach hernia, at least one third of it must be in the chest cavity.
What Happens If a Giant Stomach Hernia Is Not Treated?
Giant stomach hernia. If left untreated, complaints usually continue to progress. Symptoms caused by a giant hiatal hernia may not appear immediately. Complaints may continue to increase over the years. Giant hiatal hernia can sometimes cause serious bleeding in the stomach. In some cases, untreated giant hiatal hernias may require urgent intervention when they cause serious problems such as bleeding. Complaints related to COPD, asthma and reflux may increase in patients. Giant hiatal hernia; It is not a disease that is completely cured with weight loss, exercise or changes in eating habits.
Is Giant Hiatal Hernia Fatal?
Giant hiatal hernia is not a fatal disease. However, the problems caused by giant hiatal hernia can be fatal. Ulcers can lead to serious bleeding or perforation in the stomach.
Which Patients Should Have Surgery for Giant Stomach Hernia?
All patients with giant hiatal hernia should have surgery for treatment. However, most patients with giant hiatal hernia are of advanced age. Surgery is not recommended for elderly patients who cannot tolerate surgery due to serious heart problems as well as giant stomach hernia.
Does Giant Stomach Hernia Cause Shortness of Breath?
Giant stomach. One of the symptoms of hernia is shortness of breath. Patients may experience shortness of breath before treatment. This problem disappears after giant hiatal hernia surgery.
Can a Giant Hiatal Hernia Progress Without Any Symptoms?
Normal hiatal hernia can progress without any symptoms. However, symptoms are usually observed in patients with giant hiatal hernia.
Are There Risky Professions Related to Giant Stomach Hernia?
A risky occupational group to be specifically mentioned for giant hiatal hernia. There is no. However, work that increases intra-abdominal pressure can lead to giant hiatal hernia. Hunching is one of the main issues that increase the risk of giant hiatal hernia. Giant hiatal hernia is more likely to occur in people who have a genetic predisposition and work in jobs that increase abdominal pressure.
In Which Age Group Is Giant Hiatal Hernia Common?
Giant Stomach Hernia. Although hiatal hernia can be seen at any age, it is generally more common after the age of 55.
Giant Hiatal Hernia Occurs More in Which Gender?
Giant hiatal hernia is more common in women. is seen more. The incidence of giant hiatal hernia in women is 4 times higher than in men. Pregnancy may be effective in this regard.
Exercise Before or After Surgery for Giant Stomach Hernia
There are no exercises before or after surgery for giant hiatal hernia. However, surgery for giant hiatal hernia may be difficult in overweight patients. Exercise is recommended for overweight patients to lose weight before giant hiatal hernia surgery. There is no specific exercise for giant hiatal hernia after surgery. Do not strain or relieve abdominal pressure for 6 months after giant hiatal hernia surgery.
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