Barstow Health Partners

Unlike most hernias, which protrude through the abdominal wall, a hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach bulges through the large muscle separating your abdomen and chest (diaphragm), the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. A hiatal hernia retains acid and other contents since the stomach tends to get squeezed by this opening in the diaphragm. These acids and other substances can easily back up — reflux or regurgitate — into the esophagus.

Dr. Vardan Papoian is a General Surgeon with Barstow Health Partners and Independent Member of the Medical Staff at Barstow Community Hospital. He is one of the few surgeons in the High Desert who perform surgical treatment for a hiatal hernia.

To learn more and see the full video, visit: https://barstowhealthpartners.com/services/general-surgery/hernia-care/.