Who is affected by hiatus hernia? Who is most at risk for hiatal hernia?
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Hiatus hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm muscle. In a hiatus hernia, part of the stomach pushes into the chest cavity. It enters via an opening where the food tube (esophagus) passes on its way to the stomach. Hiatus hernias rarely have any noticeable symptoms. However, it can cause gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Can anyone tell me who all can get hiatus hernia? Who is most at risk for hiatal hernia?
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@cicely Hiatus hernia can affect anyone, but it's more common in people who are:
- over 50 years of age
- overweight
- pregnant
It's estimated that a third of people over 50 have a hiatus hernia. There's also a rare type of hiatus hernia that affects newborn babies, which is caused by a congenital defect of the stomach or diaphragm. Congenital means that it is present from birth.