What is the Relation Between Sleep Apnea and Acid Reflux?

Is there any relation between sleep apnea and acid reflux? Yes, it's definite that sleep apnea and acid reflux are linked together. Sleep apnea and acid reflux often go hand in hand. Let's see how are they related to each other. When you are awake, the acids needed to digest food remain down in their place. But when you sleep these acids can come back into the esophagus causing inflammation resulting in acid reflux. But which one of the two comes first, whether sleep apnea causes acid reflux or acid reflux causes sleep apnea is still an unanswered question.

Some studies show that the rate of developing sleep apnea is much higher in people with sleep apnea. It is nearly three times more in the people suffering from sleep apnea. This means that sleep apnea is the cause and acid reflux is the effect. While other studies show that treating acid reflux reduces the symptoms of sleep apnea. Once the acid reflux is cured the symptoms of sleep apnea disappear by themselves.

The burning and choking sensation caused due to acid reflux, may keep you awake whole night. Heartburn, which is one of the major symptoms of acid reflux, can cause nerve damage to the sensitive tissues of the throat and larynx. This major inflammation of throat or esophagus can lead to both acid reflux and sleep apnea. More severe the heartburn, more severe is the sleep apnea.

It is also believed by some researchers that sleep apnea can change the pressure within the lungs and gastrointestinal systems, which may cause some stomach contents and acid to be drawn up into the esophagus resulting in occurrence of acid reflux. While others believe that acid reflux can result in spasms of the vocal cords, which can then cause sleep apnea. People suffering from sleep apnea find it difficult to breathe due to the suspended breathing. This may induce the acids to reflux back into the esophagus causing acid reflux.

Obesity is another problem that is associated with both sleep apnea and acid reflux. Obesity generally develops after middle ages and so as the sleep apnea and acid reflux. At this age, the valve at the bottom of the esophagus weakens, which makes the acid to flow in upward direction. This results in acid reflux. After middle ages, a temporary obstruction of the air passages may be caused due to the relaxation of tissues in the neck resulting in sleep apnea. The symptoms of acid reflux get worsen in the evening, preventing you from sleeping peacefully throughout the night.

Since obesity is a cause of both sleep apnea and acid reflux, change in eating habits can reduce some of the symptoms. Avoid spicy foods that are difficult to digest. Take a low fat diet. Include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. Eat papayas, pineapples and bananas for easy digestion. Don't sleep or lie down at least for 3 hours after meals. For more information on foods and diet for acid reflux see natural cures for acid reflux.