Digestive Disorders

Bloating and Hiatus Hernia

08/23/2000

Question:

I have been diagnosed with a Hiatus Hernia, and have been on Losec 2 tabs once a day for 3 weeks now. I have not had any heartburn for 3 weeks (WOW, I usually have it once a day), however I am blowing up like a balloon, and the pain under my left breast is still there some days are better but most are not too good. Tylenol 1 isn`t working for the pain.
My diet is generally consisting of dry toast & Yogurt for breakfast, chicken breast and rice or baked potatoe for lunch, and usually the same for dinner. I am drinking about 3 cups of milk a day. Have not had any softdrinks, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, or fatty foods in three weeks. I am a smoker of about 1/2 pkg a day.
Do you know if the Hiatus Hernia is causing the bloating or the medication? Will this go away? What about the pain - is it too soon for it to be gone or at least diminishing? If I return to my Doctor, is there anything else she can do?

Answer:

Bloating is a potential side effect of many medications. In your case it could be related to the Losec or could be a separate problem but a hiatus hernia itself does not cause bloating (it may cause heartburn, however). From the viewpoint of a gastroenterologist, I know that acid reflux and heartburn can cause chest pain. However before we attribute chest pain to GERD we always insist that a heart cause be ruled out first because cardiac problems are dangerous whereas GERD is not at all life-threatening. Thus if the pain under your left breast continues you should have a cardiac workup if not already done.

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Response by:

John D. Long, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Division of Digestive Diseases
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati