Esophageal Disorders Columbia University Department of Surgery

In a hiatal, or hiatus hernia, a portion of the stomach penetrates (herniates) through a weakness or tear in the hiatus of the diaphragm, the small opening that allows the esophagus to pass from the neck and chest to its connection with the stomach. Often there are no symptoms, and the condition may not cause any problems. The patient may not be aware they have a hiatal hernia.

Achalasia is a rare disorder of the smooth muscle layer of the esophagus in which muscular ability to move food down the esophagus (peristalsis) is impaired, and the entry to the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), fails to relax properly in response to swallowing. Achalasia has no known underlying cause, although it can be mimicked by other conditions, such as esophageal cancer or Chagas disease.

Melissa Bagloo, MD, a surgeon at the Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, talks about Gastroesophagel Reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux, and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Melissa Bagloo, MD, a surgeon at the Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, addresses the types of hiatal hernias, their symptoms, diagnosis, and management.