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Hiatal Hernia Center - Pharr, TX

Pharr 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 Pharr *

Fatih Ozcelebi MD
Fatih Ozcelebi
1900 S Jackson Rd
STE E11
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 661-1333

Ralph Alhalel MD
Ralph Alhalel
1200 E Ridge Rd
STE 5
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 661-9300

Ralph Alhalel MD
Brick E Alva
1200 E Ridge Rd
STE 5
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 661-9300

K Vijaya Chowdary MD
K Vijaya Chowdary
301 Lindberg Ave
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 630-2979

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Oscar Alvarez
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Rafael Amaro
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Sabrahmanya Behara
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Carlos J Cardenas
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Ingrid Chacon
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

Mid Valley Gastroenterology
S Murthy Badiga
902 S Airport
STE 6
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956) 973-2446

Oral C James MD
Oral C James
1806 Runnels Ave
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956) 423-9000

Roberto Ponce MD
Roberto Ponce
5700 N express way
brownsville, TX 78526

Pharr, Texas

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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

Upper GI Series (Barium Swallow) »

What is an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series?

An upper gastrointestinal (GI) series (barium swallow), is a radiological test that is used to visualize the structures of the upper digestive system - the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. If it is desired to see the remaining parts of the small intestine, a small bowel series can be added to the test. These structures are seen during the examination, and the images are also are saved for further review on X-ray film or digital images. The results of an upper GI series can reveal conditions such as ulcers, tumors, hiatal hernias, scarring, blockages, and abnormalities of the muscular wall of the gastrointestinal tissues.

What are the risks of an upper GI series?

Any x-ray test procedure involves some risk from radiation exposure. The radiation exposure is minimized by standard techniques that have been assigned and approved by national and international radiology ...

Emergency Contact for Pharr

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Pharr Hospitals *

McAllen Heart Hospital
1900 South D St
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)994-2401

Rio Grande Regional Hospital
101 E Ridge Rd
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)632-6000

McAllen Medical Center
301 W Expressway 83
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)632-4000

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus North
5101 N Jackson Rd
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956)926-7000

Edinburg Regional Medical Center
1102 W Trenton Rd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)388-6000

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus South
2001 South M St
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)688-4300

Doctors Hospital At Renaissance
5501 S McColl Rd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)661-7100

Mission Regional Medical Center
900 South Bryan Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956)580-9000

Cornerstone Regional Hospital
2302 Cornerstone Blvd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)618-4444

Knapp Medical Center
1401 E 8th St
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956)968-8567

Harlingen Medical Center
5501 S Expressway 77
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)365-1000

Valley Baptist Medical Center
2101 Pease St
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)389-1100

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