Could I be experiencing a Hiatal Hernia? Breathing difficulties and abdominal pain consuming my life.
F20, 5'8", 150 lbs. For nearly two years, my life has been plagued by a constant sense of distress and discomfort. The situation has become so unbearable that I feel lost and unsure of what to do next. To explain my situation, I should mention that my anxiety is so severe it prevents me from seeking medical help—at times, my heart races to 180 beats per minute, accompanied by nausea, trembling, tingling sensations, faintness, and significant chest pain. This intense anxiety has kept me confined to my home for the past three years. I am at a loss about what is happening with my stomach and abdomen, but the sensations are dreadful and unlike anything I've encountered before. It feels as if an invisible barrier is present in my upper abdomen, either constricting or obstructing it in some way. Describing this sensation is challenging; when I sit quietly, it can feel as though something is compressing my abdomen. The most concerning symptom I face is the difficulty in breathing. My breathing has become a conscious effort—I have to actively think about each breath rather than it occurring naturally. Exhaling poses the greatest challenge for me; I often feel unable to release my breath completely. Inhaling is somewhat of a struggle too, but it pales in comparison to the difficulty I experience while trying to exhale. I find myself unable to laugh, cry, or engage in activities that require full exhalation. After just a few seconds of trying to exhale completely, it feels as if my abdomen is excessively contracting, causing significant discomfort. These breathing difficulties have become a relentless companion for the past eighteen months, persisting around the clock. I feel utterly trapped and am desperate for relief. The ongoing abnormality of my breathing prevents me from finding peace, as my upper abdomen remains consistently painful. This sudden onset of distress has left me in a state of confusion and deep troubling anxiety, where I struggle to manage my heart rate, especially in moments of panic; my breath barely supports me while sitting still, let alone during an anxiety attack. Despite my efforts to diagnose this unsettling condition, I am thoroughly perplexed and uncertain about what it could be. There’s a possibility that I might be dealing with a hiatal hernia, yet the absence of additional symptoms makes it difficult to draw a conclusion. Every day, I grapple with this relentless turmoil, worrying that something serious could be at play, especially since this has been ongoing for almost two years. I don’t feel like my true self anymore; instead, it feels as if I am caught in a nightmare I can’t escape.
Answers (1)
7/27/2025, 10:01:46 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are going through an incredibly difficult and distressing time, and your symptoms certainly warrant careful consideration. It's possible that you might be experiencing symptoms related to a hiatal hernia, which can cause discomfort in the upper abdomen and breathing difficulties. However, your anxiety and the accompanying physical symptoms also complicate the situation. Let’s break this down and focus on some essential steps you can take.
Main Points
- Possible Causes: Your symptoms may stem from a hiatal hernia, but anxiety and panic attacks appear to significantly contribute to your difficulties in breathing and abdominal discomfort.
- Prioritized Actions: Addressing immediate symptoms and finding strategies to manage anxiety are crucial for your relief.
Explanation
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, heartburn, and can sometimes make breathing feel labored. However, the combination of anxiety and physical symptoms can lead to a notable impact on how you feel physically, including sensations like tightness in your chest and difficulty breathing.
Next Steps
1. Focus on Managing Anxiety:
- Breathing Techniques: Practice deep breathing exercises focused on slow, controlled exhalations. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale through your mouth for a count of six. Start with short sessions and gradually increase as you feel comfortable.
- Mindfulness: Engaging in mindfulness or meditation can help reduce anxiety levels and improve your overall emotional well-being. Apps like Headspace or Calm may be beneficial.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique helps reduce physical tension. Focus on tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups sequentially.
2. Managing Physical Symptoms:
- Diet Modification: Avoid foods that exacerbate acid reflux, like caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, and large meals. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals.
- Elevate Your Head While Sleeping: Use additional pillows to elevate your head and chest during sleep, which might reduce nighttime symptoms.
- Stay Hydrated: Ensure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.
3. Track Your Symptoms:
- Keep a Symptom Diary: Write down when your symptoms occur, their intensity, and what you were doing at the time. This can help identify triggers and patterns in your symptoms over time.
4. Reach Out for Support:
- If possible, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to accompany you to a healthcare professional when you feel ready. They can help provide emotional support during your visit.
You are not alone in this, and seeking help can make a significant difference. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, but with time and support, you can find ways to manage these symptoms and start feeling more like yourself again. If you find it difficult to manage symptoms at home, remember it's okay to reach out for professional help when you feel ready.
Related Questions
Concerns About Abdominal Discomfort
To start with, I feel compelled to mention that I struggle with severe health-related obsessive-compulsive disorder, which leads me to intensely focus on any symptoms I experience, resulting in unnecessary worry. Recently, I began to experience some discomfort in my abdomen, specifically in the area just below my right breast, which has now evolved into tenderness upon touch. This soreness is located beneath my rib cage, and I haven't experienced any changes in my appetite or feelings of nausea. My last bowel movement occurred on Thursday, and as of this morning, the discomfort has shifted slightly, now positioned just above my belly button. I had a regular bowel movement this morning and was able to take a walk without any issues. The pain only manifests when I cough or during the transitions between sitting and standing. Initially, I was concerned about the possibility of a hernia, but I understand that the pain associated with a hernia typically does not shift in location like mine seems to. I should also note that I am classified as overweight and have been living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for which I’m taking a proton pump inhibitor. Fortunately, my heartburn symptoms have remained stable, largely influenced by my dietary habits. Over the past year, I've dealt with some weight fluctuations due to medication side effects and stress (ranging from 330 pounds to 275 pounds and back to 310 pounds). Thankfully, I have not encountered vomiting or any changes in my bowel movements. I would appreciate any insights or advice on this matter.
Lymph Nodes Observed in Abdominal CT Scan
A 26-year-old female, standing at 5'1" and weighing 70 kg, who does not smoke and drinks alcohol occasionally, has been experiencing gastrointestinal problems characterized by alternating periods of constipation and softer stools since January 24th. Additionally, she was diagnosed with a bladder infection on February 3rd, which was treated with a single dose of antibiotics totalling 3000 mg. She sought emergency medical attention due to significant discomfort in her lower left back, initially feeling colicky before becoming a constant dull ache, leading to an overnight stay for an abdominal CT scan the following morning. The findings from this scan have caused her some concern, particularly regarding identified lymph nodes. **Medical Findings:** Diagnosis: Lumbosacral radiculopathy and fecal impaction. **Treatment Approach:** The patient has been prescribed spasmolytic analgesics and will undergo further radiological evaluation. **CT Scan Results:** The low-dose native abdominal CT revealed normal appearances of the kidneys and urinary tract on both sides, with no signs of urinary retention or kidney stones in the renal pelvis or ureters. However, a few small, nonspecific mesenteric lymph nodes were detected in the mesenteric root and perizocecal areas, along with small inguinal lymph nodes on both sides. There is also no indication of appendicitis, and the colon contains a moderate volume of stool. The remainder of the low-dose CT findings are within normal limits. **Ultrasound Findings:** The abdominal ultrasound indicates grade I ectasia of the left renal pelvis, while no abnormalities were noted in the left renal pelvis, and the bladder was observed to be empty following urination. **Next Steps:** A referral for further urological evaluation is recommended alongside maintaining adequate hydration, with analgesics suggested if pain management is necessary.
Could This Be IBS or Something Else?
Greetings! I’m a 27-year-old male, standing at 172 cm and of European descent, currently using Iqos. My medical troubles began roughly four months ago, around October 5, 2025. Initially, I experienced intense back pain lasting for two days, which I recognized as kidney stone pain. To alleviate this discomfort, I took NSAIDs, predominantly Metamizole-Natrium. Afterward, I visited urgent care, where I was given Diclofenac and Monural, an antibiotic for urinary tract infections. I took one of each at night. **A couple of days later, I started experiencing several troubling symptoms:** - Frequent diarrhea (4-5 times a day, often watery) - Significant gas and belching - Persistent nausea that greeted me each morning, sometimes relieved by eating - A general sense of malaise - A loss of 5 kg (I dropped from 63 kg) because I lacked appetite, especially under stress. These symptoms developed quickly and intensified through October, fluctuating over time. Blood tests showed no abnormalities, with normal CRP levels. Then in November, I underwent a colonoscopy and gastroscopy. - I had three very small erosions, about 1-2 mm, in the terminal ileum, but no signs of inflammation. Histology revealed no pathological issues, all was well. - There was one small erosion in the sigmoid colon, with minor inflammation around it. Histological findings indicated small infiltration in the lamina propria but no chronic signs, leading to a diagnosis suggesting a high likelihood of infection. - The areas were healing, with fibrin present. The rest of my colon appeared healthy. The doctor attributed the ulcers to NSAID-induced damage. I was later diagnosed with LA-A GERD. Due to my anxiety about health, I spent the month consumed by fears of complications such as colon cancer, PC, or Crohn's disease. I finally found some relief and felt symptom-free for the subsequent two weeks. However, in December the troubles resurfaced, though to a lesser degree, with occasional loose stools—2-3 times for a few days— and lingering gas. My anxiety about Crohn's returned, and I mistakenly took Algopyrin Complex, which triggered additional stress. **In December, my primary worries included:** - Loose stools resembling Bristol type 5-6, mainly occurring once each morning - Excessive gas often felt trapped in my rectum - My weight stabilized at 62 kg **I underwent various tests:** - Negative results for Giardia and E. coli - Negative FIT tests - Negative MRI (everything appeared normal) - Negative MRE (all normal) - Calprotectin level measured at 18.7 - I was found to have low levels of B9 and Vitamin D, with B12 at 320 and LDL at 5.9 **Moving into January:** - I only had one bowel movement each morning, sometimes loose, but mostly firm in the past three weeks (Bristol 4), compared to my usual Bristol 2. - After meals, I often felt gas building in my rectum, sometimes getting stuck before eventually releasing. This gas, thankfully, rarely had an odor. - Mornings have been troublesome, as I needed to pass gas 2-4 times, and in bed at night, I felt bloated with gas movements. **What I have observed:** - No signs of blood in my stools - No pain - No nocturnal symptoms affecting my sleep - No extraintestinal symptoms - My weight has stabilized without additional loss after recovering some weight Overall, I feel fine, yet the worry about my condition persists in my mind. Previously, I would have bowel movements twice weekly, with little to no gas. It baffles me that I often wake up feeling this uncomfortable. My primary concern is whether I should be worried about Crohn's disease (which occupies my thoughts constantly) or if my symptoms might stem solely from anxiety. Currently, I'm taking the following medications and supplements: - Itopride (doctor suggested it for motility issues) - L-Glutamine - Curcumin - A B-complex supplement - Ashwagandha - I briefly tried rifaximin for three days, but it did not yield significant changes. - I had also experimented with antacids previously, though they proved ineffective. Thank you for your assistance in advance!
Can Eating More Fiber Alleviate Menstrual Cycle-Related Constipation?
Every month, during the week and a half leading up to my menstrual period, I experience constipation. I'm curious if boosting my fiber consumption might ease this issue. I already ensure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I am a woman in my mid-20s.
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.