As high as 20percent of adults living in the United States experience symptoms of GERD, which is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. The chronic condition can affect your esophagus.
An esophagus is a tube of muscle that connects your throat with your stomach.
GERD is a condition that is characterize by persistent acid reflux and chest pain, and a bitter taste in your throat and mouth.
GERD sufferers typically suffer from symptoms during the time of night, disrupting their sleep and hindering the ability of their bodies to perform the following day. The nighttime hours of Gastroesophageal reflux disease can create more unpleasant, intense manifestations than GERD symptoms during the daytime.
A board-certified gastroenterologist Bharat Pothuri, MD, provides his expertise in aiding you in managing your GERD to help you enjoy an improved night’s sleep. You need to be aware of Gastroesophageal reflux disease and sleep and how we can assist you.
The nighttime GERD might be more intense than the daytime GERD.
GERD symptoms can wake you in the middle of the night. Apart from heartburn that creates pain and burning within your chest area, you might be able to feel stomach acid coming upwards into your larynx and throat (vocal cords). You might wake up coughing and choke.
Patients who have nighttime reflux are susceptible to more severe complications from Gastroesophageal reflux disease, such as inflammation of the esophagus tumors of the stomach and Barrett’s esophagus.
What is the reason? GERD could be more severe during the night
It is the perfect time for an increase in reflux. In the beginning, Gastroesophageal reflux disease might be more severe in the evening because of your position.
If you are lying down, gravity doesn’t pull your stomach acid downwards. Acid can more easily flow back into the esophagus, which causes heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Then, when you fall asleep, you also eat less. The act of swallowing is a vital one that helps to lower stomach acid. While you sleep, you make very small amounts of saliva, particularly during the sleep’s most restful phases. Saliva is a key buffer against stomach acids.
Sleep quality is a factor that affects your life quality.
Individuals with nighttime Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms are likely to experience unsatisfactory health than people with symptoms only present during the daytime.
The frequent awakenings caused by throat and chest pains mean lower quality sleep, which leads to fatigue during the day.
If you’re exhausted working, your performance could be affecte. Additionally, you risk injury when operating vehicles or machinery.
GERD has also been linked to obstructive sleep apnea, an underlying sleep disorder marked by breath pauses that wake you from sleep. GERD can cause the airway to become inflamed or blocked, making it difficult to breathe normally. The result is that you wake up as you don’t get enough oxygen to your brain.
How can you sleep better when suffering from GERD?
It is recommende to avoid eating before the time you go to bed. Take a few hours following eating before going to bed to lessen GERD symptoms late at night.
Sleeping less before falling asleep can also help lessen the degree of Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms while you sleep. The longer you stay awake at night, the more likely it is that acid will regurgitate and irritate your throat and chest. As you settle down, make sure you sleep instead of reading or sitting down to watch TV.