Updated November 05, 2014.

You may have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer disease, or gallbladder problems that have led to gallstones years ago or maybe only recently. There may come a time when you have a question about some aspect of you condition or conditions. The resources below contain answers to the most often asked questions about hiatal hernias, peptic ulcers and gallstones. While this information is not designed to give you a medical diagnosis or tell you how to make any medical decisions, it will give you the basic information you will need, and can help you with discussions you may have with your doctor.

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Hiatal Hernias

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and up into the chest. There are two categories of hiatal hernias, sliding or para-esophageal.

• What is a Hiatal Hernia?
  A hernia occurs when an organ slips through the muscle wall that holds the organ in place. A hiatal hernia involves the stomach. Learn what happens when there is a hiatal hernia.
• What Can Cause a Hiatal Hernia?
  There are a few risk factors for developing a hiatal hernia, which include abdominal injury and obesity.
• What Are the Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia?
  Not everyone with a hiatal hernia will experience symptoms. For those who do have symptoms, these can include heartburn, frequent belching and / or hiccups, and chest pain.
• What is the Treatment for Hiatal Hernias?
  Some people don't have symptoms, and won't need treatment. For those who do have some symptoms associated with their hernia, your physician will decide what treatment is the best. Treatment can include lifestyle and dietary changes or medication.

• What Tests Are Used to Diagnose Hiatal Hernias?
  Two of the procedures used are the barium x-rays and the upper endoscopy.

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Peptic Ulcers

• What Should I Know About Peptic Ulcers?
  An ulcer is a sore or lesion that forms in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric or stomach ulcers, and those in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers, and both are usually referred to as peptic ulcers.
• What Causes of Peptic Ulcers?
  Understanding the causes of peptic ulcers, and then getting a diagnosis and proper treatment, most people can find relief.
• What Are the Symptoms of a Peptic Ulcer?
  Understanding the symptoms of peptic ulcers, and then getting a diagnosis and proper treatment, most people can find relief.
• How Does a Doctor Diagnose Peptic Ulcers?
  Learn what test are usually prescribed to diagnose peptic ulcers.
• What Are the Best Ways to Treat Peptic Ulcers?
  If they receive proper treatment, most people can find relief from peptic ulcers.
• Are There Complications That Can Occur with Peptic Ulcers?
  Though rare, complications from peptic ulcers can occur. What are these?
• Can Children Have Peptic Ulcers?
  Many people think ulcers are an "adult disease." However, children can and do develop ulcers. It is important to learn the symptoms of childhood ulcers, how they are treated, and what the signs of an emergency situation are.
• What Foods Can I Eat If I Have a Peptic Ulcer?
  Some people who have peptic ulcers can eat whatever they want with no problems. For many others, however, eating certain foods can cause irritation, excessive acid production, and heartburn.
• What Foods Should I Limit If I have a Peptic Ulcer?
  In some people, certain foods seem to aggravate their ulcer symptoms. For them, they may need to avoid some food that could aggravate their systems.
• How Does H. plyori Cause Peptic Ulcers?
  Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers. What cause it? How is it diagnosed and treated?

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Gallstones

When the gallbladder isn't functioning as it should, one of the causes of this could be gallstones. You are most likely to have problems with your gallbladder if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts. The cause of this is usually a gallstone. The type of gallbladder disease that results from gallstones is called cholelithiasis.

• What Are Gallstones?
  Learn about the two types of gallstones and how they form depends on which type they are.
• What Causes Gallstones?
  There are several factors that can contribute to the development of gallstones, including gender and ethnicity. It is important to know all the known causes of gallstones.
• What Are the Symptoms of Gallstones?
  Symptoms of gallstones are often called a gallstone "attack" because they occur suddenly. Learn what the symptoms of a typical attack are, and the symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
• How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
  Many gallstones are discovered by accident during tests for other problems. But when gallstones are suspected to be the cause of symptoms, the doctor is able one of several tests to determine if gallstones are present.
• What is the Treatment for Gallstones?
  Surgical treatment may be the most common treatment for gallstones, but there are non-surgical treatment for gallstones too.