The link connecting chronic acid reflux and sleeping disorders has been around for a long time. For the most part, which comes first is unknown. unidentified. Recently a study was done in Germany that found acid reflux symptoms develop in people that suffer sleep apnea three times more often than in normally healthy people. Sleep apnea more frequently occurs in older overweight men.
Many people have sleep apnea and acid reflux together. Sleep Apnea is a malady where the person sleeping stops breathing for around ten seconds. It can last as long as a sixty seconds. During an episode of apnea, the lungs do not move, this may occur several times while sleeping. The usual symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring, persistent fatigue and morning headache.
What Is Acid Reflux
Acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a digestive disorder where the stomach acids regurgitate into esophagus and cause damage to the mucus membrane. The burning sensation in the chest is the major symptom of the presence of stomach acid in the esophagus.
People suffering from acid reflux have reported more cases of breathing difficulty during sleep than those with sleep apnea alone. When someone has both acid reflux and sleep apnea, you must take the necessary precautions to counter this disorder so that they will not become a nuisance to your health in the future.
Acid Reflux And Sleep Apnea Final Thoughts
Sleep apnea and acid reflux are both associated with being overweight. A diet that is heavy in sugar, fast food and fat can cause obesity. portliness. A healthy diet can go a long way in averting both acid reflux and sleep apnea.
It is important that fatty, greasy, and sugary foods are let alone as much as possible to minimize occurrences of acid reflux. These types of foods have been reported to increase the chance of the problem these foods will help in defeating your problem.
In order to avoid acid reflux symptoms it is a good idea not to eat spicy foods and not to consume big meals especially two to three hours before bedtime. If you must eat within 2-3 hours before bed then try eating fruits like papaya. Crackers with a glass of warm milk are good for the digestive system also.
See Your Doctor
Some research has suggested that treating the acid reflux would provide relief for many sleep apnea patients. Each condition could have serious problems if not treated correctly. It has also been shown that severe acid reflux will make the sleep apnea worse.
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