10 years ago I was diagnosed with GERD and a hiatal hernia, the last two weeks have been horrible . It started with a small food poisoning during which returned and had diarrhea that went and now seems to have worsened my symptoms of GERD.

Although it is impossible to be sure without examining you, seems to have had an episode of gastroenteritis - often called the "stomach flu." It is usually caused by a virus or bacteria and is usually " self -limiting " - implying that only be cured as long as keep your body hydrated. This is unlikely to be associated with a hiatal hernia that may or may not have, but generally worsen symptoms such as bloating and nausea . It is not clear if you have a hiatal hernia so described and really is not very common to have a significant hiatal hernia diagnosed at age 16. However, to explain what they are hiatal hernias occur when part or all of your stomach gets into a " hiatus " ( a passage in the diaphragm that usually allow the esophagus, the tube that is swallowed, it can provide food to the stomach ) to the back of the chest, behind the heart. Hiatal hernias may cause heartburn , regurgitation, " early satiety " (feeling full after eating very little), obstruction ( the feeling that food gets barred after swallowing ), pain ( with swelling after eating ) and bleeding. If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor . This will examine you and probably ask for a swallow study ( an x-ray in which you swallow a liquid such as barium that show how food travels to your stomach). You may need to see a surgeon if you really have a hiatal hernia and true symptoms caused by it. The surgery today can usually be done with a minimally invasive procedure. It must be performed by an experienced surgical esophagus ( swallowing tube ) surgeon.