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Suffer Nausea, Dizzy. Heart Palpitations, Hair Loss And Chest Pain. Could This Be Hiatal Hernia?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Sep 2013
Question: dear doctor.

I have done some research on the symtoms of hiatal hernia and seems that others also have symtoms similar to mine.
naseu. dizzy. heart palp. chest pain. hair loss. anxiety. ect.

my question is could a hernia be caused by anxiety or is it causing all these symtoms as it touches the vagus nerve
please see link below
WWW.WWWW.WW
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Anxiety associated might not be as direct effect

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

You have just raised an interesting question and I will do my best to get you a helpful answer. Do not always rely on what many people write on the internet as some of them are just personal opinion and not based on research or facts. Personally I do not think anxiety causes hiatial hernia nor the reverse but the complications of hiatial hernia such as acid reflux or GERD (resulting to chest pain) could the culprit as this condition is usually associated to palpitations, chest pain (no hair loss but poor diet due to acid reflux could lead to vitamin deficiency which could lead to hair loss), anxiety etc.
Hiatial hernias are relatively common and in themselves, do not cause symptoms. For this reason,l most people with hiatial hernias are asymptomatic. Hiatial hernias may predispose to reflux or worsen existing reflux in minority of individuals. Usually some doctors can allow their patients to leave their office with the conclusion that they have a diseases called hiatial hernia but I do think that is not correct as that may leave the patient believing that they have a serious condition which might require surgical intervention and hence may result to anxiety or worsen existing anxiety (if you were already suffering from latent anxiety).

Treatment will depend on the existence of any complications and in your case, it is likely that you are suffering from acid reflux which in my opinion should be considered for treatment with either H2 inhibitors/anti-acids/proton pump inhibitor etc). If I am right, then treatment will go on well. Depending on the degree of anxiety, you may also be considered for treatment with anxiolytics and as for hair loss you might need some vitamin supplements such as vitamin E.
I also suggest you get your doctor's opinion on this matter.

Hope this helps and wish you the best.
Dr. Nsah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (8 minutes later)
Thank you for the answers doctor. Just to recap. is it touching a vagus nerve normally or not likely? and if it does could it cause any other problems or symptoms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
your welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Hiatial hernia is a structural problem of the stomach where part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm. Even though the vagus nerve supplies to the abdomen (vagus nerve branches) it does not mean that a hiatal hernia will equally cause a vagus nerve lesion. In case, the branch of vagus nerve that supplies the abdomen is damaged for one reason or the other you will present with digestive problems such as abnormalities of esophageal motility, gastric acid secretion, gallbladder emptying, and heart rate; and other autonomic dysfunction.
How ever increased pressure due to the hiatial hernia could be responsible for above symptoms due to compression of vagus nerve branch of stomach and/oesophagus.
But I will say you should not go think that far as you might become more anxious. I suggest you stay calm, talk with your doctor as to the available treatment options for your hiatial hernia and acid reflux.

Hope this helps further.
Dr. Nsah
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

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Suffer Nausea, Dizzy. Heart Palpitations, Hair Loss And Chest Pain. Could This Be Hiatal Hernia?

Brief Answer:
Anxiety associated might not be as direct effect

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

You have just raised an interesting question and I will do my best to get you a helpful answer. Do not always rely on what many people write on the internet as some of them are just personal opinion and not based on research or facts. Personally I do not think anxiety causes hiatial hernia nor the reverse but the complications of hiatial hernia such as acid reflux or GERD (resulting to chest pain) could the culprit as this condition is usually associated to palpitations, chest pain (no hair loss but poor diet due to acid reflux could lead to vitamin deficiency which could lead to hair loss), anxiety etc.
Hiatial hernias are relatively common and in themselves, do not cause symptoms. For this reason,l most people with hiatial hernias are asymptomatic. Hiatial hernias may predispose to reflux or worsen existing reflux in minority of individuals. Usually some doctors can allow their patients to leave their office with the conclusion that they have a diseases called hiatial hernia but I do think that is not correct as that may leave the patient believing that they have a serious condition which might require surgical intervention and hence may result to anxiety or worsen existing anxiety (if you were already suffering from latent anxiety).

Treatment will depend on the existence of any complications and in your case, it is likely that you are suffering from acid reflux which in my opinion should be considered for treatment with either H2 inhibitors/anti-acids/proton pump inhibitor etc). If I am right, then treatment will go on well. Depending on the degree of anxiety, you may also be considered for treatment with anxiolytics and as for hair loss you might need some vitamin supplements such as vitamin E.
I also suggest you get your doctor's opinion on this matter.

Hope this helps and wish you the best.
Dr. Nsah