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Common Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia

Shortness of Breath

The diaphragm separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and is important in respiration. When a large part of the stomach forces its way through the opening in the diaphragm, it can interfere with the diaphragm’s function. This can result in shortness of breath [5] as the diaphragm is no longer able to efficiently support respiration. Shortness of breath is intensified by lying down on the back. It often results in fatigue and can make even simple activities like climbing a flight of stairs very difficult.