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Hiatal Hernia Center - Kennewick, WA

Kennewick Gastroenterologist Doctors for Hiatal Hernia

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Kennewick *

John M Roach MD
John M Roach
811 S Auburn St
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 586-9187

Tri Cities Endoscopy Center
Sittilerk Trikalsaransukh
7114 W Hood Pl
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 734-4885

Tri Cities Endoscopy Center
Verapan Vongthavaravat
7114 W Hood Pl
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 734-4885

Columbia River Gastroenterology
Peter Donald Maher
602 N Colorado St
STE D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 735-8600

Suresh Phillip MD
Suresh Philip
7525 W Deschutes Pl
STE 1A
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 737-8766

Hoyeol Yang MD
Hoyeol Yang
98 Columbia Point Dr
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 946-3636

Tri Cities Digestive Health
Somprak Boonpongmanee
780 Swift Blvd
STE 280
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 946-9747

St Mary's Physicians Group
James E Harri
301 W Poplar St
STE 210
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-5825

Blue Mountain Medical Group
Kyongchol Kim
1111 S 2nd Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-0100

Walla Walla Clinic
Lawrence S Zawatzky
55 W Tietan St
Main Clinic
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-3720

Kennewick, Washington

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Hiatal Hernia

What is a hiatal hernia?

A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. Although hiatal hernias are present in approximately 15% of the population, they are associated with symptoms in only a minority of those afflicted.

Normally, the esophagus or food tube passes down through the chest, crosses the diaphragm, and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. Just below the diaphragm, the esophagus joins the stomach. In individuals with hiatal hernias, the opening of the esophageal hiatus (hiatal opening) is larger than normal, and a portion of the upper stomach slips up or passes (herniates) through the hiatus and into the chest. Although hiatal hernias are occasionally seen in infants where they probably have been present from birth, most hiatal hernias in adults are believed to have developed over many years.

What causes a hiatal hernia?

It is thought that hiatal hernias are caused by a larger-than-normal esophageal hiatus, the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen; as a result of the large opening, part of the stomach "slips" into the chest. Other potentially contributing factors include:

  1. A permanent shortening of the esophagus (perhaps caused by inflammation and scarring from the reflux or regurgitation of stomach acid) which pulls the stomach up.
  2. An abnormally loose attachment of the esophagus to the diaphragm which allows the esophagus and stomach to slip upwards.

Are there different types of hiatal hernias?

Hiatal hernias are categorized as being either sliding or para-esophageal.

Sliding hiatal hernias

Sliding hiatal hernias, the mo...

Recommended Reading Related to Hiatal Hernia

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) »

GERD facts

  • GERD is a condition in which the acidified liquid content of the stomach up into the esophagus.
  • The causes of GERD include an abnormal lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, abnormal esophageal contractions, and slow emptying of the stomach.
  • GERD may damage the lining of the esophagus, thereby causing inflammation (esophagitis), although usually it does not.
  • The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea.
  • Complications of GERD include ulcers and strictures of the esophagus, Barrett's esophagus, cough and asthma, throat and laryngeal inflammation, inflammation and infection of the lungs, and collection of fluid in the sinuses and middle ear.
  • Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition that requires periodic endoscopic surveillance for the development of cancer.
  • GERD may be diagnosed or evalua...

Emergency Contact for Kennewick

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Kennewick Hospitals *

Kennewick General Hospital
900 S Auburn St
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509)586-6111

Lourdes Medical Center
520 N 4th Ave
Pasco, WA 99301
(509)547-7704

Kadlec Medical Center
888 Swift Blvd
Richland, WA 99352
(509)946-4611

Good Shepherd Medical Center
610 NW 11th St
Hermiston, OR 97838
(541)667-3400

Prosser Memorial Hospital
723 Memorial St
Prosser, WA 99350
(509)786-2222

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