Hiatal hernia and refluxoesophagitis are two different diagnoses. There different possibilities.
1. reluxoesophagitis without hi the slingatal herniass
2, refluxoesophagitis with hiatal hernia
3. sliding hiatal hernia with or without endoscopic signs of esophagitis.
4, reflux complaints without endoscopic abnormalities: diagnosis made by 24 hr pH measurement.
The sliding hiatal hernia could be intermittent, when a lot of air is inflated during de endoscopy the hiatal hernia will disappear.
Gastritis is not an endoscopic diagnosis. The so called red stomach at endoscopy has no meaning. The diagnosis gastritis can only be made by microscopic examination of gastric biopsies. (often in combination with culture of H.Pylori).
DikW, MD,PhD; retired gastroenterologist