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Hiatal Hernia Center - Spokane, WA

Spokane 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 Spokane *

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Arnold N Cohen
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Inland Empire Gastroenterology
James T Doyle
105 W 8th Ave
STE 6050
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 747-0143

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Robert Durnford
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Inland Empire Gastroenterology
Joseph D Fitterer
105 W 8th Ave
STE 6050
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 747-0143

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
James Goff
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Steven E Goodell
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Steven W Hong
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Karl Houglum
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
Michael F Kestell
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Spokane Digestive Disease Center
David M Maccini
105 W 8th Ave
STE STE 6010
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 838-5950

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Zdenek Bocek
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Philip C Delich
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Andrew Feld
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Rockwood Clinic Gastroenterology
Harold Preiksaitis
400 E. 5th Ave
STE 2N
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 838-2531

Klaus Gottlieb MD PLLC
Klaus Gottlieb
12128 N Division St
STE PMB164
Spokane, WA 99218
(509) 455-3453

Valley Gastroenterology
Paul M Craig
12401 E Sinto Ave
Spokane, WA 99216
(509) 922-2055

Valley Gastroenterology
Clinton S Poppel
12401 E Sinto Ave
Spokane, WA 99216
(509) 922-2055

Palouse Medical Associates
Lloyd E Perino
825 SE Bishop Blvd
STE STE 200
Pullman, WA 99163
(509) 332-2517

Spokane, Washington

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Throughout Spokane, Washington

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 Spokane

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Spokane Hospitals *

Sacred Heart Medical Center
101 W 8th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
(509)474-3131

St Lukes Rehabilitation Institute
711 S Cowley St
Spokane, WA 99202
(509)838-4771

Deaconess Medical Center
800 W Fifth Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
(509)458-5800

Shriners Hospital Spokane
911 W 5th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
(509)455-7844

Holy Family Hospital
5633 N Lidgerwood St
Spokane, WA 99208
(509)482-0111

Spokane VA Medical Center
4815 N Assembly St
Spokane, WA 99205
(509)434-7000

Valley Hospital & Medical Center
12606 E Mission Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(509)924-6650

Eastern State Hospital
850 Maple St
Medical Lake, WA 99022
(509)299-3121

Kootenai Medical Center
2003 Lincoln Way
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
(208)666-2000

Lincoln Hospital
10 Nichols St
Davenport, WA 99122
(509)725-7101

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