Charlie Sheen Hospitalized for Hiatal Hernia

Charlie Sheen was rushed to the hospital Thursday morning with severe stomach pains. Earlier, his rep, Stan Rosenfield, told People, "All I know is what I was told - that he was having severe abdominal pains."

Now we know the reason: The LA Times reports that Sheen has a hiatal hernia. The intense abdominal pain was a result of that.

Charlie Sheen Rushed to Hospital for Stomach Pain

According to the Mayo Clinic, a hiatal hernia occurs when "part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. Your diaphragm normally has a small opening (hiatus) that allows your food tube (esophagus) to pass through on its way to connect to your stomach. The stomach can push up through this opening and cause a hiatal hernia."

Ouch. The condition can cause severe pain. In some cases it requires surgery.

The LA Times reports that "Two and a Half Men" is on hiatus this week and production is scheduled to resume Monday.