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Which tests can be done to confirm hiatal hernia?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I often get nausea and vomiting sensations for many years. This started after food poisoning, and I take Domperidone 20 milligrams daily to get relief. I was hospitalized (ten days) for Influenza, and a Ceftriaxone injection was given for ten days, and I was coughing badly. Later I had pain just above my stomach and at the center of my lungs. This pain used to come right after having meals. I was given Pantoprazole and muscle relaxant injections, from which I got relief. But after getting discharged from the hospital, I started to get extreme acidity. I also started to get recurrent food poisoning that got resolved only after taking strong antibiotics like Amoxicillin and Azithromycin. Since then, I have been on a strict diet, and I cannot eat without restrictions like I used to do before because I get nausea and vomiting (especially at night after dinner), and I need to take antibiotics to get relief. I was also diagnosed with GERD, and I got relief after taking gastro-resistive Rabeprazole, like Rablet. However, I cannot take such a PPI drug for a long time because I get diarrhea and infection. Therefore I need to know whether the problem is because of GERD or any other reason. Could it be a hiatal hernia? My endoscopy with biopsy and sigmoidoscopy are normal. Do I need to do any other tests? Please help.

Answered by Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Yes, there are a few tests that will absolutely identify if you have a hiatus hernia or if it is just GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

As I understand, you have been suffering from these for a long time.

Please get these tests done for an absolute diagnosis:

1. Barium swallow X-ray of esophagus and stomach - this will tell you if there is a hiatus hernia.

2. A 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring - This will tell you if it is GERD.

3. You can also do esophageal manometry if the esophageal sphincter relaxes on time.

Hope this will help you get to the bottom of this.

Kind regards.

Answered by

Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At October 26, 2022
Reviewed AtNovember 8, 2022

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Dr. Mashfika N Alam

General Practitioner

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