Dear-thanks for using our service. Hiatal hernia is a possibility because you can have acid going back to the esophagus and that can create chronic irritation of the esophageal wall with narrowing of the canal and difficulty swallowing. You can have chronic esophagitis from the acid reflux, which produces pain and swallowing problems too, giving severe chest disconfort in the rib cage area. I agree that the upper endoscopy is the next step, with observation and possible biopsy of the irritated area for a better medical management. H.pylori is a bacteria that produces a lot of abdominal disconfort and ulcer non responsive to omeprazole. I hope that my advise has been helpful Dr.Sara