Yes, a hiatal hernia can affect the bladder, though it's less common than bowel issues, by pressing on it or nearby structures, causing urinary symptoms like frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping, or a feeling of incomplete emptying, because the abdominal pressure or protruding organs can interfere with bladder function or even involve the bladder itself. While inguinal hernias are more notorious for bladder involvement (sometimes including the bladder wall), a significant hiatal hernia can also cause these urinary symptoms.
The hernia can sometimes press on the bladder or urethra, making it difficult to pass urine.
In a hiatal hernia, part of your stomach pushes up into an opening (the hiatus) in your diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle between your belly (abdomen) and your chest. In most cases, your food pipe (esophagus) goes through the hiatus and joins your stomach.
Urinary Difficulties
If this happens, you could experience urinary burning, frequent infections, bladder stones and hesitancy or frequency in urinating. If you are experiencing these difficulties, you should consult your urologist or surgeon and see if they are caused by a hernia.
People may notice more frequent or severe heartburn, chest pain, coughing or other symptoms as their hernia gets worse. Symptoms like sharp chest pain, vomiting, fever and bloody stools could be signs that the stomach has “twisted” and cut off its blood supply, which can happen if some hernias are not treated.
But larger hiatal hernias can cause:
Although a bladder hernia frequently goes undetected, it can occasionally cause vague symptoms like lower urinary tract discomfort or urinary tract infections [2]. Patients with an IBH run the risk of being misdiagnosed due to the disease's rarity [3].
Hernia Symptoms. Inguinal hernias are often treated by a urologist. About 25% of hernias result in pain and discomfort. Sometimes, you will see swelling at the junction of the thigh and the groin, or you may have pain, when your intestine descends into the scrotum.
The "6-2 rule" for inguinal hernias in children is a guideline for surgical timing: Neonates (birth-6 weeks) need surgery within 2 days; children 6 weeks to 6 months need it within 2 weeks; and children over 6 months need it within 2 months, because younger infants have a higher risk of incarceration (strangulation). For adults or older children with reducible hernias, some sources suggest seeing a surgeon if symptoms last over six weeks.
The exact cause of hiatal hernias isn't known, but experts do know that some people are born with an especially large hiatus (hole in the diaphragm). Suspected causes of hiatal hernias include: Coughing. Vomiting.
This usually causes significant, excruciating pain, redness in area of the hernia, fever and other general symptoms – fatigue, nausea and more. Incarceration and strangulation require a visit to the ER or a call to 911 as soon as possible to reduce the hernia and restore blood flow.
How long can you live with a hernia? There is no definitive timeline. Some individuals live their entire lives with a hernia without needing surgery, while others face complications within months. Regular check-ins with a hernia specialist can help you track any changes and decide when—or if—surgery is necessary.
With most instances of hiatal hernia, symptoms are unnoticeable and don't need treatment. More serious symptoms of hiatal hernia potentially getting worse may include trouble swallowing, heartburn, belching, tiredness and chest pain.
Several conditions may be a part of overactive bladder, including: Conditions that affect the bladder, such as tumors or bladder stones. Conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis. Diabetes.
A small inguinal bladder herniation usually presents with no symptoms, but a large IBH tends to produce symptoms including swelling in the groin and/or symptoms of lower urinary tract infection [6]. Patients with inguinal bladder herniations may also present with dual voiding, depending on the size of the herniation.
Most people are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. But if your job requires that you do heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to take 4 to 6 weeks off from work. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the cut (incision) dry.
If you experience these symptoms, you must consult a laparoscopic surgeon for the hernia repair surgery or herniorrhaphy. If hernia is left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications. So, it is better to consult a laparoscopic surgeon at initial stage of hernia development to avoid the complications.
Exercises to avoid when you have a hernia
Heavy exertion exercises, such as weightlifting, that cause you to strain. Overstretching your abdominal wall. Movements that lengthen the abdominal muscles, such as an upward dog position in yoga, put strain on the muscle walls and should be avoided prior to surgery.
The presence of inguinal hernia may be associated with extrinsic defects upon the bladder and ureter in the absence of actual herniation of the urinary structures. The findings are characteristic unless associated with irregularity of the bladder wall or elevation of the bladder floor by prostatic enlargement.
The 5 key warning signs of a bladder infection (Urinary Tract Infection or UTI) are: pain/burning during urination, frequent/urgent need to pee (even with little output), cloudy/bloody/strong-smelling urine, lower belly/pelvic pressure, and feeling like your bladder isn't empty, with fever or back pain signaling a more serious kidney infection, requiring immediate medical attention.
A feeling of bladder pressure is a normal occurrence and typically indicates a person needs to urinate. However, prolonged or severe bladder pressure can indicate underlying health conditions, including interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis may last a lifetime, but treatments can help to relieve symptoms.
Hiatal hernia surgery is a complicated operation as it requires surgeons to operate in the abdomen and in the chest. Done wrong, this operation can be catastrophic and can result in lifelong consequences that leave patients with chronic intractable diarrhea, gastroparesis, or inability to swallow.
Recovery from Hiatal Hernia Surgery
You can expect to spend one to two nights in the hospital after your surgery. You will be instructed to follow a liquid or soft foods diet for a few weeks to allow time for swelling to go down and for your stomach to heal.
If they are still experiencing some dysphagia at the 2-week follow-up, we advise them to remain on the puree diet for up to 6-weeks. Patients are counseled that they will likely lose 10–15 pounds during the first 4–6 weeks after surgery before the nadir of weight loss (2).