Telephone: (617) 983-6712. Fax: (617) 983-6770. www.mass.gov/dph/fpp. The Massachusetts Food Protection Program, within Bureau of Environmental Health in the Department of Public Health, strives to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. When you have a hiatal hernia, it's easier for the acid to come up. The leaking of acid from the stomach into the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Definition. Hiatal hernia is a condition where a portion of the stomach pushes into the chest through the hiatus (an opening in the diaphragm). This is generally seen in older and/or obese people. Normally the esophagus runs through the chest to join with the stomach in the abdominal cavity.The stomach never enters the chest compartment (thoracic cavity). In a hiatal hernia, there can one of two occurrences. The stomach and the esophagus may prolapse into the chest resulting in sliding hiatal hernia.he stomach never enters the chest compartment (thoracic cavity). In a hiatal hernia, there can one of two occurrences. The stomach and the esophagus may prolapse into the chest resulting in sliding hiatal hernia.