Recent evidence shows a direct link between Acid reflux and sleep apnea. Studies show that a great many people who suffer from Acid Reflux Disease or GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) report worse symptoms at night. The question still asked, though, is which came first. Since both conditions involve an inflammation of the throat area, it is difficult to determine if one precedes the other.

In sleep apnea, the patient breathes harder because the breathing actually stops. This labored breathing may cause reflux into the esophagus. But the question can be asked in reverse as well. Does acid reflux cause sleep apnea by pooling in the esophagus and make breathing more difficult? Either way, the effects are the same and need to be addressed.

If the acid reflux is the root of sleep apnea, then it can be remedied through sleep positioning and diet therapy. Sleep positioning is where the upper body is elevated slightly to deter gastric contents from getting past the lower esophageal sphincter and into the esophagus. Basically, its a matter of offsetting gravitys effect. Diet therapy means that the sufferer shouldnt eat spicy foods right before bedtime as this helps reduce gastric activity during sleep periods. Another factor may be obesity. Diets rich in fats, grease or sugar are simply not healthy and should be adjusted.

So as you can see, this is a chicken and egg situation when it comes to finding out which came first with acid reflux and sleep apnea. Studies are being done in this area and the findings will be reported to the gastroenterology community on completion.

One such study done recently found a casual relationship between GERD and sleep apnea. This researcher is planning another, more detailed, program to actually measure the acidic content of regurgitated material into the esophagus. It may be that it isnt just acidic content, but liquids ingested that are at the center of the problem.

Either way this goes, the result is similar. Material passes from the stomach into the esophagus, possibly up to the throat or mouth and causes obstructive sleep apnea to occur. On the other side, a sufferer of sleep apnea may encounter trouble breathing while asleep and this may facilitate the reflux.

It is estimated that more than 20% of Americans with weekly heartburn symptoms have GERD. When these people go to sleep, problems seem to intensify.
So if you suffer from GERD and have noticed a problem with your sleep patterns, there are a few things you can do for yourself.
1. See a doctor immediately and get a formal diagnosis.
2. Watch your food intake.
3. Look for extreme symptoms occurring at night. Document these for your physician.
4. Try relaxation techniques to relieve stress. Meditation has been used successfully.
5. Elevate the head and neck slightly to avoid the reflux of gastric content into the esophagus.

In any case, if you have acid reflux and sleep apnea, see your family doctor for further details and help with your condition. It could mean the difference between a good nights sleep and lying there awake wondering whats wrong.

Get the latest on acid reflux disease by visiting http://www.acidrefluxillness.com - a website that offers information and articles on acid reflux symptoms and treatments as well as little known facts such as the connection between acid reflux and sleep apnea.

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