Acid reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which the liquid contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This contents can inflame the lining of the esophagus. Though 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 begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach. The refluxed liquid may also 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 U.S. citizens who have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease describe being worse at night, and three in four say they routinely wake up from sleep because of acid reflux symptoms.

This relationship between sleep apnea and acid reflux makes good sense because when you’re awake, gravity helps keep acids required to digest food down where they belong, in the stomach. But when you’re lying down, these acids can leak back into the esophagus, damaging the lining and significantly increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.

Some researchers think that obstructive sleep apnea results in airway pressure changes that can cause acid reflux to occur, yet other researchers assume that the reflux of acids may be a result of spasms of the vocal cords that can then lead to sleep apnea.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

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

These 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 starts again, occasionally with a loud snort or choking sound.

Sleep apnea usually is a chronic that interrupts your sleep 3 or more nights each 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.

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 don’t stop the airway from staying open to allow air into the lungs.

Acid reflux is usually a frequent condition. After it begins, it is usually a life-long condition If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus this also is a chronic order. There are a lot of different acid reflux treatments you can consider using. One popular option is Nexium .

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