acid reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The contents can harm the lining of your esophagus. Though visible signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid mostly contains acid and pepsin which 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 backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. acid reflux disease involves more than 20% of Americans. Some 80% of the 60 million U.S. citizens who have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease report worse symptoms at night, and three in four say they routinely wake up from sleep because of it.

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, irritating the lining and significantly boosting the risk of esophageal cancer.

A few researchers believe that sleep apnea is caused by airway pressure changes that can cause acid reflux to occur, still other researchers think that the reflux of acids may be a result of spasms of the vocal cords that can then lead to sleep apnea.

Common Causes Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common 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 can occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Usually, Typically, normal breathing then begins again, occasionally with a loud snort or choking sound.

Sleep apnea usually is a persistent condition that interrupts 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.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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

Acid reflux is more often than not a chronic condition. When it begins, it is usually a life-long condition If you have 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 Prilosec.