A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes up into the chest through the sheet of muscle called the diaphragm. This may result from a weakening of the surrounding tissues and may be aggravated by obesity and/or smoking.

Review Date: 9/25/2000 12:00:00 AM Reviewed By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; G. Eric Morgan, MS3; RxRemedy

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