Dear Dr. Roach: My father was recently diagnosed with a type 4 hiatal hernia. His doctor said that this can be very serious and he may need to have surgery to correct the problem. He's 85 years old.

A hiatal hernia is an enlarged opening in your diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle that contracts when you breathe. Organs in your belly push through this opening and into your chest. There are two main ...

Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...

A hernia hiatus occurs when the part of the stomach starts to squeeze through the diaphragm and then into the chest. The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscles that is responsible for separating the ...

A hiatal hernia involves part of the stomach protruding into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. It may limit the types of exercise that a person can do, but certain stretches and ...

While lifestyle changes can help treat hiatal hernias, it’s best to consult a doctor first. In some cases, you may need other treatment or surgery to remove it. Your diaphragm — which is your primary ...

Hiatal Hernia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment: By Shreoshree Chakrabarty A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This ...

A hiatal hernia is a common medical condition where a portion of the upper stomach pushes through a hiatus, or opening, in the diaphragm muscle and into the chest. While it’s most common in older ...

Q: My father was recently diagnosed with a type 4 hiatal hernia. His doctor said that this can be very serious and he may need to have surgery to correct the problem. He’s 85 years old. Can you shed ...