What are the causes of hiatal hernia?

What are the causes of hiatal hernia?

• Answer:

  A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach slips up into your chest through the hiatus, the hole in your diaphragm that allows your esophagus to pass through. A hiatal hernia may be caused by an inherited abnormality or it may develop with age.IdentificationWhen the muscles around your hiatus weaken, it's easier for a portion of your stomach to bulge up through that opening into your chest cavity.Inherited causesIn some situations, the Mayo Clinic says, a hiatal hernia develops because of an inherited weakness of the muscles around the hiatus. Some people have an abnormally large hiatus that makes it easier for part of the stomach to slip up into the chest cavity.Acquired causesAccording to the Mayo Clinic, some hiatal hernias develop when the muscles around the hiatus are weakened by strong pressure on the diaphragm over a period of time. This pressure may be due to coughing, vomiting, straining to have a bowel movement or heavy lifting.Risk factorsAetna InteliHealth says you are at higher risk of developing a hiatal hernia if you're pregnant, over the age of 50, obese or a smoker.TipYou can lower your risk for developing a hiatal hernia by maintaining an ideal body weight and, if you're a smoker, giving up nicotine.Source:http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiatal-hernia/DS00099http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/E/9339/10141.htmlMore Information:http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/57/main.html