A good laugh and a long sleep
are the best cures in the doctor's book.
~Irish Proverb~
Sleep is an important weapon in combating many diseases. Research has often linked deprivation of sleep with many diseases. And now new research shows that a strong link exists between sleep apnea and acid reflux. However, the relationship between sleep apnea and acid reflux is like the chicken and egg story. The scientists are having a heated debate over whether sleep apnea causes acid reflux or whether acid reflux should be held responsible for seep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a medical term, in which a patient stops breathing during the night for duration of 10 seconds or more. The term is derived from Greek word ‘apnoia’ which means breathless. Most patients are unaware that they have stopped breathing. Many of them wake up from their sleep gasping for breath. A person suffering from apnea often snores while sleeping.
GERD or acid reflux as it is popularly known as, is a condition wherein the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) stops working properly. In normal circumstances, the LES acts like a valve, which closes tightly after allowing the passage of the food from the esophagus into the stomach. This keeps the stomach acid and its content from reaching the esophagus. If the valve fails to shut properly, then there is a backflow of the stomach acid. Irritation in the esophagus is developed when the acid touches the linings of the esophagus. This condition in medical parlance is termed as GERD or acid reflux.
According to the Journal of Gastroenterology ‘Because of the decrease of primary peristalsis and the reduced production of saliva, as well as the diminished acid and volume clearance of the esophagus, sleeping can be considered as a risk factor of the reflux event by itself. Moreover, it should also be taken into account that the transdiphragmatic pressure increases in parallel with the growing intrathoracic pressure generated during obstructive apnea episodes. This has a non-negligible effect on the phrenoesophageal ligament, which is connected to the lower esophageal sphincter. Repetition of the pressure changes results in insufficiency of the cardia. While this pressure change produces a considerable suction effect, further reducing the clearing mechanism of the gastric volume, lower esophageal sphincter insufficiency can directly lead to reflux disease.
Whereas some in the medical fraternity are of the opinion that the acidic content of the stomach causes reflexes joining the esophagus and the airways to obstruct the breathing thus causing sleep apnea.
The opinion of the medical fraternity is divided. But acid reflux is a serious condition that requires prompt attention.