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The second type is a 'para-esophageal' hiatal hernia. This is a less common but more serious hernia which involves part of the stomach pushing up through the diaphragm next to the esophagus. The risk with this type of hernia is that blood flow to part of the stomach can be restricted, meaning people with this type are more likely to be recommended for hiatal hernia surgery. Hiatal hernias can happen naturally if you are born with a large hiatus (the hole in the diaphragm). They can also be caused by injury or accident which involves damage to the abdominal and chest area. In some cases it can be caused by too much pressure resulting from pregnancy or obesity. Hiatal hernias are also commonly found in 5-15% of those that have GERD. Some individuals may not even know they have a problem while others may suffer painful symptoms. But this does not necessarily mean you need to rush to the emergency room for surgery. The most common symptoms are those caused by reflux of stomach acid and stomach contents. These includes heartburn, chest pain, sore throats and more.
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