Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia describes what happens when the upper portion of your stomach bulges through the diaphragm, which is the large muscle separating the chest from the abdomen. There is a small opening in the diaphragm, called the hiatus, and the esophagus passes through this opening before it connects to the stomach. When the stomach pushes through this opening and into the chest, hiatal hernia is the result.

If you have a minor hiatal hernia, you may never know. Larger hiatal hernias, on the other hand, can cause noticeable symptoms.

What causes hiatal hernia?

Hiatal hernia is a result of weakened muscles, which allow the stomach to bulge through the diaphragm. This can be caused by aging or injury from trauma or surgery. Other potential causes of hiatal hernia include being born with an abnormally large hiatus or suffering from intense pressure from vomiting, coughing, straining during bowel movements, or lifting heavy objects.

Is a hiatal hernia dangerous?

While it sounds serious, a hiatal hernia actually doesn’t cause symptoms in most cases. Many people who experience a hiatal hernia won’t need treatment.

What sort of treatment is used for hiatal hernia in cases where treatment is necessary?

If you have ongoing symptoms like acid reflux, you may require medications or surgery to treat hiatal hernia. Your doctor may prescribe medications to neutralize stomach acid, reduce acid production, or block the production of acid. If medication does not improve symptoms or if you have serious complications, such as significant inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus, your doctor may perform surgery. For example, surgery can allow your doctor to pull the stomach back down into the abdomen and reduce the size of the opening in the diaphragm.

Common Symptoms

“I had symptoms of acid reflux, and it felt like I was regurgitating food back into my mouth.”
“I experienced heartburn, and I was having trouble swallowing food.”
“I had chest pain and shortness of breath.ausea and vomiting.”

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373379

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What They Are Saying

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Excellent

Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6231 reviews

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Chuck M.

Everyone was very nice and professional. Nurses, prep team, recovery Nurses and the Dr. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great care.

David J.

Had a procedure with Dr. Bologna at Macomb location. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. In and out in 90 minutes.

1llaryssa

I had a wonderful experience at the Center for Digestive Health. From the moment I walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and professional. The office is clean, well-organized, and has a calm atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. The pre and post procedure nurse was very kind and accommodating. Dr. Nandi is truly exceptional. His expertise and compassionate approach made me feel confident that I was in great hands. I highly recommend Dr. Nandi and his team. It’s rare to find a doctor who combines such professionalism with a genuine, kind demeanor. I’m so grateful to have found such a wonderful healthcare provider!

jocq4u

We love this medical practice. Dr. Tocco has taken good care of my elderly father, and we'll continue to rely on their expertise for years to come.

Bonellova

Excellent service and staff!

Jeanette P.

Everyone's so helpful and careing,Dr gives me the results of my persedure before I leave.

Gerald W.

I felt very at ease with my procedure.

G K.

I have been a patient here for a long time and I find everyone from staff to the doctors very professional and caring. Please give them a try you will not be disappointed

Kent P.

Excellent staff. Nice facility.

Barbara V.

Very professional and caring. Everything goes smoothly throughout the whole process. Highly recommended!

Carol

Very professional, well scheduled, gave me a sense of confidence. So well organized and professional.

Aaron R.

Staff were kind and professional.

Deborah G.

Very caring and knowledgeable!

Dave B.

why send review ir Cordwell health , they change what you write Dr Nandy is a great concerning dr.

Donna D.

Excellent experience. Fast, efficient, clean. Friendly nurses. Dr Willie is the best. My second colonoscopy with him over 10 years. Highly recommend him and the center as a whole!

F S.

From arrival until departure, the staff is pleasant and prepared to answer all questions and get you out. Very professional operation.

Jon D.

CDH has been the epitome of a professional practice. The nursing staff and doctors are friendly and genuinely caring. They are open to questions, informative regarding every step of the procedure and always follow up the following day to ensure you are doing well.

Bob P.

The staff at CDH were considerate, prompt and professional. No one looks forward to a colonoscopy but, the people who took care of me made it the best experience it could have been. Thank you!

Linda L.

A Colonoscopy is not likely at the top of anyone's favorite things to do list. That being said...I found everyone from the intake personnel, to nurses, to the anesthesiologist, to Dr. Bakken kind, professional and efficient. Couldn't have been treated better.

Ms. J.

I am pleased with my new Gastroenterologist. Dr. Saeed was wonderful. The staff was great. I was seen with no waiting time. Everyone I came in contact with was super efficient and professional. The Doc did not rush me and understood me very well. I am in good hands. My former Gastro was the absolute best and I was worried I could not replace him. Thank goodness I found Troy Digestive Health. All is well!

Richard S.

Very caring and compassionate service!

Lanny B.

The entire staff was extremely friendly and efficient. They took an event that by all means is awkward and intrusive procedure and made it as pleasant as it could possibly be. Everyone was caring and engaging. I highly recommend this office for anyone needing their services. Thank you.

greg B.

Excellent process and staff. Dr. Donat and his staff nurses and anesthesiolgist were top notch , explained each step of the procedure and reviewed the results with me in terms that were easily understood.

Vicki R.

Went in for 2 procedures. Everyone was very kind and did whatever they could to make me comfortable. The folks here are very professional. They thoroughly answered my questions and even called me later in the day to ensure I was well and not in pain.

Sam D.

What an Awesome experience this was. I was nervous to say the least. But everyone here calmed me down. Now that I have it out of the way. It was one of my most enjoyable moments at a Doctors office. Thank you for showing so much patience with me.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6236 reviews

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Joe M.

All staff were very pleasant and professional.

Leeann P.

Been seeing Dr Bologna for several years of my colonoscopies and GERD. He is very nice and explains everything .

John W S.

Everyone here is incredibly kind and caring. I had some anxiety when I was preparing for my procedure, but it was done and over with before I had time to think about it. Dr. Donat is excellent, and takes time to explain everything.

Ed L.

The peope were very professional and courteous. I would highly recommend this location

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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