Acid Reflux in Sleep Apnoea Explained

[James @ Intus]

The topic of acid reflux comes up regularly, we have in fact a whole thread dedicated to it already here. As that's a bit old and I've just read a very nice article, written by a sleep doctor, on the topic of acid reflux in sleep apnoeics, I decided to make a new thread.

The biggest throat problem for Sleep Apnea sufferers by Dr Steven Park

Dr. Park knows a lot about OSA and its various treatment options and here he explains in detail why it is that many of you experience acid reflux. Those of you who follow our sleep-disordered breathing topics on twitter, probably say this popping up earlier today already.

What comes up into your throat is not only acid, but also bile, digestive enzymes, and even bacteria. Washings of lung, sinus and ear contents have shown H. pylori, a common stomach bacteria, and pepsin, a major stomach digestive enzyme. So what comes up can cause severe irritation in your throat, provoking the mucous secreting glands of your throat to try to dilute these substances.

If you don't want to read Dr. Park's great article then here's the take-home point. Do not eat in the 3 or 4 hours before going to bed. Especially if you are not yet treated for OSA.

What do you do to avoid Acid Reflux?

To what extent has it been causing you grief in the past?

[Tigers Fan]

Heh! heh! heh!

I didn't know I 'suffered' it until the ENT consultant told me so, after he poked a camera down my gullet. I was tempted to argue but he had seen the evidence, after all. My GP prescribed some low dose - hang on, I'll go and look - Lansoprazole Capsulses (Gastro-Resistant) 15 mg. Instantly, I knew I had been getting acid reflux - I felt so much 'cleaner'.

I guess it's like OSA in that it builds gradually and the worsening condition is accepted as normal and not noticed. Ah! also like OSA, I'd never heard of it till I was told I'd got it!

TF

[ElleCee]

It all sounds rather disgusting
Positive side is that I can never have a Nasal Gastric Tube now so I need not fear anyone trying!
I am pretty sure I don't have that, but then I do have most other things so I am not going to get jealous just because TF has it
Lorraine

[Tigers Fan]

Que?

Lorraine - if I could gift it to you, I would. It would be yours! Welcome! But trust me, you don't want it!!

My barber says I can't go blond, seems I don't have enough hair and what I do have is too short! I've cancelled the pink re-spray for my car, too.

A glum TF

[James @ Intus]

TF, did you get the meds before you went on CPAP?

If Acid Reflux is so bad in untreated OSA because of the suction during apnoeas, I wonder whether you need the medication less since you got used to CPAP.

[Tigers Fan]

Before - just

Hi James

The ENT initial contact for a sleep study diagnosed acid reflux. Getting the capsules was easy and quick. Getting the sleep study was a big problem. Getting a CPAP was even worse so I bought my own APAP.

So I guess I was taking the capsules a few weeks before going on APAP. If I don't take one first thing in the morning, I can expect refux during the day. I'm on the lowest dose, mind.

TF

[shuckie]

Hi everyone!

I've suffered with acid reflux for several years. I didn't know what was causing it at first, but one of the GPs at my surgery pointed out that being overweight was probably the cause. This was a while before I was diagnosed with OSA.

I also take Lansoprazole capsules, either an hour before my evening meal or an hour before going to bed. Either way I don't tend to wake up as often with that disgusting combination of acid, bile, bacteria etc in my throat, nor am I experiencing as many "acid attacks" during the day as I used to before being prescribed the medication.

I used to buy Ranitidine/Zantac tablets over the counter when I first developed acid reflux, but either the symptoms got worse or my body somehow developed a tolerance to the tablets. They no longer start working "within two minutes" and they certainly don't work "for twelve hours"!

Here's hoping that once I'm getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis that I'll have the energy and motivation to start exercising on a regular basis and lose some of the excess baggage I'm carrying!


shuckie

[Lord Gaga]

Have you tried taking three swigs of Gaviscon triple action before bedtime? It's fantastic!!!!

No more acid reflux for me!

Tried Omeprazole, Esomeprazole - nothing comes close to this.

[Fredxx]

I used to suffer with gastric reflux through the night all the time before I got the CPAP, stopped as soon as I got used to the machine

[DebbieT]

I am a great fan of gaviscon liquid too one swig and the acid is gone in minutes

[acebass]

I used to suffer with gastric reflux through the night all the time before I got the CPAP, stopped as soon as I got used to the machine

same here, rarely do i get it now...