Do young adults with hiatus hernia symptoms need surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 23-year-old female, and I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia a few months ago after a CT scan. For the past few weeks, I have had extreme nausea and have vomited a few times due to really bad acid reflux.

And now I am currently having some chest and upper abdominal pain. I have also noticed difficulty in breathing. Currently, I cannot visit a doctor. Do I need surgery? Do I need to go to the emergency room?

Please help me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query.

It would really help me if you would kindly upload all your investigations, including CT (computerized tomography) scans and endoscopy reports, once they are done. I also need your previous hospital records. You are clearly having distressing symptoms. I think you should consult a doctor at the earliest for a thorough evaluation to be on the safer side.

You should go to the emergency room if you have severe nausea, persistent pain, trouble catching your breath, or feeling dizzy, bleeding, or not feeling well. I do not advise you to stay home, but still, if you do decide not to go to the emergency room.

You can follow a few precautions, such as taking some good over-the-counter acid control medication like the tablet Prilosec OTC (Omeprazole 20mg) once a day, an hour before breakfast, for up to two weeks. Read the instructions very carefully or ask the dispensing pharmacist at the pharmacy. This is just a temporary measure and not a solution to a hiatus hernia. The better solution for such a bothersome hiatus hernia is surgery.

Hope I cleared your doubt.

Suppose you have any concerns, consult me at icliniq.com.

Thank you