Does hiatal hernia cause coughing, rattling in throat and heavy breathing?
Patient: Hi! I have a hiatal hernia.When I exert myself or am in high humidity I experience asthma like symptons. Coughing and rattling in my throat. Heavy breathing,like it s hard to catch my breath. Is this due to my hernia? I have been checked for asthma and copd. Doctor: Thank you for your question!The symptoms explained by you are due to hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia is condition where upper part of stomach enter into thoracic cavity to some extent through the weakness in diaphragm.As a result, lower esophageal sphincter tone (which protects esophagus and throat from acid reflux) is lost and the acids secreted in the stomach reflux into esophagus which causes burning sensation in the chest and rattling in throat.Take Pantoprazole tablets twice daily for 30 days. If symptoms persist and too severe, consult the physician. Further evaluation may be required to decide about surgical correction of hiatal hernia.Avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine, lifting heavy weights. All these things will aggravate your symptoms. Keep your head in elevated position during sleep.