12 Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia

9. Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia

The second type of severe hiatal hernia is the paraesophageal hernia. It is less common than a sliding hiatal hernia but significantly more dangerous because the esophagus slides up and doesn't move back down. The stomach pushes into the chest cavity, which can cause food to stick in the esophagus. Alternatively, this hernia can twist the esophagus, cutting off the blood supply. Symptoms common to hiatal hernias such as acid reflux and dysphagia still occur, along with significantly worse symptoms such as severe chest pain and distention. If the hernia opens wider, it can become an incarcerated hernia. Surprisingly, some paraesophageal hernias cause no symptoms.