Surviving John

Acid reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which the liquid contents in the stomach refluxes into the esophagus. This liquid can inflame the lining of the esophagus. Although visible signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. Pepsin is an enzyme that starts the digestion of proteins in the stomach. The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has gone-up into the stomach from the duodenum. Acid reflux disease involves more than 20% of Americans. At least 80% of the 60 million Americans 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 leak back into the esophagus, irritating its lining and significantly boosting the risk of esophageal cancer.

Some researchers think that obstructive sleep apnea is caused by airway pressure changes that can cause acid reflux to occur, yet other researchers think that the reflux of acids may be caused by spasms of the vocal cords that can then lead to sleep apnea.

Common Causes Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a widespread disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.

These Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They can occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Usually, Typically, normal breathing then starts again, from time to time with a loud snort or choking sound.

Sleep apnea usually is a persistent condition that disrupts your sleep 3 or more nights each week.

This problem results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

When we are awake, your throat muscles help keep one’s throat stiff and open so air can flow into your lungs without restriction. When sleeping, these muscles are more relaxed. Usually, the relaxed throat muscles won’t stop your airway from staying open to let air into your lungs.

Acid reflux is more often than not a frequent condition. Once it begins, it is usually a life-long condition If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus then it is a chronic order. There are many over the counter and even prescription acid reflux treatment options that can help you. One popular option is Pepcid .