By Denise Mann
NEW YORK, Oct 22 (Reuters Health) -- New research suggests that hiatal hernias, a common cause of heartburn, may run in families.
Hiatal hernias occur when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the lungs from the stomach), riding up through the opening where the esophagus or gullet cuts through the muscle. This creates a faulty seal that keeps the lower part of the esophagus (a muscular tube that moves food from back of the mouth to the stomach) from closing properly, thus allowing acid to travel more freely back into the esophagus, producing heartburn.
Hiatal hernias are common, found in about 40% of adult Americans, experts estimate.
Writing in the November issue of the journal Gut, researchers from Northern Ireland report that there were 23 definite and 5 probable cases of hiatal hernia among five generations of one family. The findings also suggest that inherited hiatal hernias may increase risk for cancer of the esophagus.
Less than 10% of hiatal hernias are thought to be inherited, but the new findings "may give us a window into understanding the nature of familial hiatal hernias," lead study author Dr. Brian Johnston, a consultant physician at Lagan Valley Hospital in Northern Ireland, said in an interview with Reuters Health.
"There is now the potential for looking at genes to see if there is actually a gene that predicts hiatal hernia," he explained. "Then we can use this information to potentially develop new therapies or prevention techniques."
The majority of people who develop hiatal hernias have no family history of the condition. The exact cause of most hiatal hernias is unknown, but being overweight is considered a major risk factor, Johnston added.
The researchers traced the family's history starting with an 8-month-old with the condition. Two family members also had a condition known as Barrett's esophagus, a known risk factor for esophageal cancer, which occurs when chronic acid exposure causes changes in the lining of the esophagus.
"Familial hiatus hernia causes longstanding heartburn, which may put people at risk for Barrett's esophagus and potentially esophageal cancer," Johnston pointed out.
