A number of health conditions can affect or involve the diaphragm.
Hiatal hernia:
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach “bulges” through the esophageal sphincter of the diaphragm.
This could be caused by:
• age-related tento-structural changes of the diaphragm
• injuries or birth defects
• chronic pressure on surrounding muscles created by:
• cough
• effort
• lifting excessive loads
This condition is more common in people over age 50 or those who are obese.
Small hiatal hernias usually do not cause any symptoms, but they can be the precursor to a larger hiatal hernia that can manifest itself through some of these symptoms:
• stomach ache
• acid reflux
• difficulty swallowing
• chest pain that sometimes radiates to the back
Larger hiatal hernias sometimes require surgical reduction, but in other cases are manageable with antacid medications. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can help reduce acid production and treat any damage to the esophagus.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts