Reflux and hiatus hernia · Help and support
Help with understanding your reflux and hiatus hernia appointment
Your team can explain your test results, the choices available and the next steps. Ask them to show you on the model what your results mean.
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If you feel unwell or you are worried, ask a pharmacist or contact your GP. For urgent help, call NHS 111, or use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or the NHS App. In an emergency, call 999. For health information, see the NHS website (nhs.uk) or the NHS App.
Your GP or hospital team can explain your test results, the choices available and the next steps. If you have had an operation, use the contact number the hospital gave you if you have any problems.
Someone to talk to
NHS 111
If you have chest pain, are being sick, cannot swallow or have tummy pain that is getting worse, and are not sure what to do, call 111 or use NHS 111 online, any time. In an emergency, call 999.
111Guts UK
A charity for the digestive system, with information about reflux, hiatus hernia and other digestive conditions.
gutscharity.org.uk
Words you may hear
- Reflux (GORD)
- When stomach acid comes back up into the food pipe. GORD stands for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
- Heartburn
- A burning feeling in the chest, often after eating, caused by reflux.
- Hiatus hernia
- When part of the stomach moves up through the opening in the diaphragm into the chest.
- Sliding hiatus hernia
- The most common type: the bottom of the food pipe and the top of the stomach slide up into the chest.
- Rolling (para-oesophageal) hiatus hernia
- Part of the stomach pushes up beside the food pipe, while the bottom of the food pipe stays in place.
- Oesophagitis
- Inflammation of the lining of the food pipe, usually caused by reflux.
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- A change in the lining at the bottom of the food pipe. It is checked with regular camera tests.
- Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
- A medicine that reduces stomach acid, such as omeprazole or lansoprazole.
- Endoscopy (OGD)
- A test using a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look inside the food pipe and stomach.
- Barium swallow
- An X-ray test: you swallow a liquid that shows up on X-rays.
- Fundoplication
- An operation that wraps the top of the stomach around the bottom of the food pipe to stop reflux.
Trusted information
NHS: heartburn and acid reflux
Symptoms, causes, treatment and things you can do yourself.
NHS: hiatus hernia
What a hiatus hernia is, its symptoms and treatment.
NHS 111 online
Help if you are worried about symptoms and are not sure what to do.
Guts UK
The charity for the digestive system.
The explorer is a simplified illustration for a conversation with your team. It cannot interpret your report, make a diagnosis or tell you which treatment is right.