Large hiatal hernia on chest xray
Looking for some insight from those of you who have large para-esophageal hernias.
I have an elderly mother with dementia who also has a large para-esophageal hernia. She's had the hernia for years, but it's unclear to me how much it has worsened over the years because I wasn't involved in her medical affairs when she was first diagnosed, but I am now due to her dementia.
Recently, she has been burping a lot and not able to eat more than a few bites of her meals. She seems interested in eating when the food is served to her, but after a few bites she says she doesn't feel like eating anymore. It's hard to get more information from her due to the dementia.
I know that there could be a number of reasons why she's not eating much, but I get the sense that it is hernia-related because she seems eager to eat at first, but then stops after a few bites. It's not like she's stopped eating because she's lost her will to live.
Can anyone who has had a large para-esophageal hernia comment on if this feeling of early fullness/not feeling like eating is something you experience? Thank you!
Edit to add the verbiage from a recent chest x-ray that was done for another reason: "A double density about the left heart border is consistent with the presence of a large hiatal hernia."