Acid reflux disease, commonly referred to as acid reflux, is a condition where by the liquid content in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The contents can harm the lining of the esophagus. Although visible signs of irritation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid mostly contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. Pepsin is an enzyme that starts the digestion of proteins in your stomach. The refluxed liquid may also contain bile that has gone-up into the stomach from your duodenum. Acid reflux disease affects more than 20% of Americans. Some 80% of the 60 million U.S. citizens who have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease report worse symptoms at night, and three out of four say they routinely wake up from sleep because of acid reflux symptoms.
This connection between sleep apnea and acid reflux makes good sense because when you’re awake, gravity helps keep acids needed to digest food down where they belong, in the stomach. But when you’re lying down, these acids can wash back into your esophagus, irritating its lining and significantly increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
A few researchers think that obstructive sleep apnea is caused by airway pressure changes that can cause acid reflux to occur, still other researchers assume that the reflux of acids may be a result of spasms of your vocal cords that can then lead to sleep apnea.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while they sleep.
The Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They often occur 5 to 30 times or more per hour. Usually, Typically, normal breathing then begins again, from time to time with a loud snort or choking noise.
Sleep apnea usually is a persistent condition that disrupts your sleep 3 or more nights a week.
This disturbance results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
When we’re awake, your throat muscles help keep one’s airway stiff and open so air can flow into your lungs easily. When you sleep, these muscles are more relaxed. Usually, your relaxed throat muscles will not keep the airway from staying open to allow air into the lungs.
Acid reflux is more often than not a frequent condition. Once it begins, it usually is life-long. If you have injury to the lining of your esophagus this also is a chronic condition. There are many over the counter and prescription acid reflux treatment options. One popular option is Zantac .
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