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What's the Root Cause? by Dr Vikki PetersenAuthor: Root Cause Medical Clinic
"What's the Root Cause?" is brought to you by Root Cause Medical Clinic, featuring Dr. Vikki Petersenrenowned doctor, functional medicine expert, author of "Hiatal Hernia Syndrome" and host of a highly popular YouTube channel. Dr. Vikki Petersen and her team of clinicians provide cutting-edge solutions in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, nutrition, food, hormones, genetics, lifestyle, and more.You dont have to accept feeling unwell or struggling with chronic health issues. Your body has the power to heal, and with the right approach, reversing many health conditions is possible. We're here to help you do just that.Have questions about your health? Contact us today at 727-335-0400 or visit RootCauseMedicalClinics.com. Language: en-us Genres: Alternative Health, Health & Fitness, Nutrition Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Small Hiatal Hernia- Can it Cause Symptoms?
Monday, 20 October, 2025
If you have a small hiatal hernia you've perhaps been told that your "other" symptoms, such as heart palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath or anxiety are not related. This can be confusing.Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.In this video Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, IFMCP explains why this confusion occurs.Large hiatal hernias cause direct pressure on the heart and/or lungs due to their sheer size. Due to that direct pressure, the symptoms of chest pressure, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety can occur. When your doctor has told you that your small hiatal hernia cannot cause those symptoms it's because he or she is thinking with direct pressure.What they're missing is that small hiatal hernias can cause those symptoms via a different mechanism. The pressure on the stomach causes your body's anti-reflux barriers to be overcome. The result is reflux. The reflux triggers vagal nerve reflexes leading to the symptoms I just mentioned.These are nerve reflex responses but the symptoms are no less real.The key is to identify the root cause of the pressure. There are a few potential causes. Some that you can address on your own are:Not overeatingChanging your diet to include real vs ultraprocessed foodsChew your food wellDon't lie down after you eatOther factors you'll need some help to address:Losing weight around your mid-sectionBalance your gut microbiome - good bugs vs bad bugsAssess any toxic loadHormonal imbalanceReferences:Hyun JJ, 2011 — Clinical Significance of Hiatal Hernia — Gut and Liver. Kahrilas PJ, 2008 — Approaches to the Diagnosis and Grading of Hiatal Hernia — Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Andrews WG, 2021 — The relationship of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux — Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery. Cleveland Clinic, n.d. (review page current) — Hiatal Hernia: What It Is, Symptoms, Treatment & Surgery — Cleveland Clinic. Franzén T, 2014 — Is the severity of gastroesophageal reflux dependent on hiatus hernia size? — World J Gastroenterol. Wallner B, 2018 — Identifying clinically relevant sliding hiatal hernias — Scand J Gastroenterol. Weitzendorfer M, 2017 — Preoperative diagnosis of hiatal hernia: barium swallow X-ray, high-resolution manometry, or endoscopy? — World J Surg. Tolone S, 2018 — High-resolution manometry is superior to endoscopy and radiology for hiatus hernia diagnosis — World J Gastroenterol. Goodwin ML, 2021 — Atypical and typical manifestations of the hiatal hernia — Ann Laparosc Endosc Surg. Naoum C, 2011 — Left Atrial Compression and the Mechanism of Exercise Impairment in Large Hiatal Hernia — J Am Coll Cardiol. (Large HH → cardiac compression). Malik A, 2021 — Hiatal Hernia: A Possible Trigger for Atrial Fibrillation — Cureus (case report; association, not proof). Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video.The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.If you'd like help we're here for you. The best next step is to contact us for a consultation and then we can determine if what we do is a good fit for you. Call 727-335-0400 or➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-nat
