Most hiatal hernias cause no problems especially if they are small. But larger hernias may cause heartburn, belching or chest pain when stomach acids back up into your esophagus. These signs and symptoms tend to become worse when you lean forward, strain, lift heavy objects or lie down, and they can also worsen during pregnancy. In rare cases, the part of your stomach that protrudes into your chest cavity may become twisted and have its blood supply cut off, leading to severe chest pain, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), obstruction of your esophagus. If you experience any of these symptoms immediately contact your doctor.

Question: I have recently had trouble with breathing. When I walk up the stairs, I can barely breathe at all. I used to use the stairs as an exercise mechanism regularly, and then suddenly this happened. I have noticed no abnormalities in my heart-rate.

This occurs every time I walk upstairs, regardless as to whether I've just eaten food (I've read about a relationship to hiatal hernias and post-eating shortness of breath

My hernia has been properly detected.

Is this problem due to the hernia, or is there potentially something else going on? What can I do?

Also, I really think I need a second opinion on treatment of this hernia... My doctor thinks that it is untreatable. I have heard that surgery is used in a small number of these cases and it seems odd that mine is untreatable by such methods.

Answer: You wrote: "List of pre-existing conditions: Large hiatal hernia. Herniated disk in spine (treated with PT back stretches and Vicodin. Has been getting worse).

Current medical status: Suffering from periodic chest pain & difficulty swallowing. My doctor doesn't know what to do about resolving the hiatal hernia: he says that it cannot be treated surgically. It is large, and has reached the point of turning my stomach upside down. The herniated disk in my spine brings about chronic moderate to severe back pain/spasms.

Current medical treatment: Vicodin as needed for pain regarding the herniated disk. Office visits are as necessary, and currently there is little point in going back other than for a prescription."

A hiatal hernia is a protrusion of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a weakness of the diaphragm. The symptoms of a hiatal hernia include acid reflux as well as pains similar to heartburn in the chest or stomach. Sometimes a person with a hernia experiences additional difficulties after eating, such as more discomfort in the upper stomach area. In some people, a hiatal hernia doesn't cause any symptoms at all. Usually, hernias are treated via medication, but if chronic acid reflux and severe pain is present, surgery is commonly recommended. You might want to seek a second opinion about your treatment options as it seems that your current doctor doesn't consider surgery a possibility for you.