A Hiatal hernia occurs when there is a protrusion at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach. Hiatal hernias cause heartburn and acidity reflux, which can be controlled with antacids and acid-blocking medications. Unless the hernia is particularly large, OTC drugs, weight loss, and dietary adjustments are usually sufficient to provide relief. However, surgery may be required if the hernia is causing obstruction or cutting off the blood flow. Open or laparoscopic surgery is the prescribed hiatal hernia treatment to repair the damaged tissue.

Most Hiatal hernias are harmless and require no treatment. As some patients with a hiatal hernia also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, treatment begins with GERD management techniques.

These at-home hiatal hernia treatments include changes in lifestyle such as:

• Losing weight through diet and exercise.
• Quitting smoking
• Avoid wearing a tight belt or apparel that puts pressure on the abdomen, such as control top hosiery and body shapers. 
• Avoid acidic meals that irritate the esophageal lining, such as tomato sauce and citrus fruits or drinks.
• Fried and fatty meals, caffeine-containing foods or beverages, peppermint, chocolate, carbonated drinks, alcoholic drinks, ketchup and mustard, and vinegar should be avoided.
• Avoid bedtime snacking and eating meals three to four hours before lying down.
• When resting on your back, keep your head six inches higher than the rest of your body.
• Raising your head helps gravity retain the contents of your stomach in the stomach. Piling your pillows doesn't work as well as increasing the head of your bed by angling your mattress—it makes you squeeze your middle instead of just angling your body higher.
• Taking medicines to lower stomach acid after eating. Antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors are over-the-counter drugs.

As discussed above, a hiatal hernia may necessitate surgery in some cases. However, surgery is for those who have not found relief from drugs for heartburn and acid reflux or have complications such as severe inflammation or esophageal constriction.

As the medical sciences move forward, the field of hiatal hernia care has seen leaps and bounds of progress. However, there are still unanswered questions, and comprehensive revisions to the guidelines have yet to be developed. More randomized studies on subsets of individuals, stratified by age, gender, symptoms, and comorbidities, are needed to address the issue. Hiatal hernia treatment includes over-the-counter medication and surgeries such as open or laparoscopic repair and Nissen fundoplication.