Regurgitation
Regurgitation happens when the stomach contents and acids come back to the esophagus. This is different from nausea, which may occur without pain or prior warning. Stomach acids, undigested food and drinks, and bile or the yellowish-greenish liquid are included in stomach contents that back up when regurgitation occurs. Regurgitation is normal, but repetitive regurgitation is harmful and can indicate severe illness such as hiatal hernia.
When a hiatal hernia is triggered, the stomach is squeezed, resulting in the withholding of acids and other contents. These stomach acids and contents will back up to the esophagus and irritate it, resulting in regurgitation. Since hiatal hernia is common and may not manifest symptoms, monitoring symptoms that may stipulate the worsening of the hiatal hernia is essential. Frequent regurgitation is a sign of severe hiatal hernia. In addition, it may indicate that the hiatus in the diaphragm may grow more extensive due to the increased frequency of backwash of food.
