Heartburn, Sleep Apnea, & CPAP
Today, we’re diving into a fascinating topic: how CPAP and sleep apnea treatment can improve GERD, also known as heartburn or reflux.
Now, you might be wondering, how are sleep apnea and GERD connected? Well, it all comes down to pressure in the chest. When you have sleep apnea, your airway collapses, and your body has to work extra hard to pull air into the lungs. This creates a negative pressure in your chest, kind of like a vacuum, which can actually pull stomach acid up into the esophagus, causing that uncomfortable burning sensation.
Using a CPAP machine helps keep your airway open by providing a continuous flow of air. This not only helps you breathe better at night but also reduces the negative pressure in your chest, thereby decreasing the chances of stomach acid being pulled up into your esophagus.
Besides using a CPAP, here are some other tips to improve GERD while sleeping:
- Elevate Your Head: Use a wedge pillow or elevate the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches. This helps keep stomach acid where it belongs.
- Sleep on Your Left Side: This position can help reduce reflux by positioning the stomach below the esophagus.
- Avoid Late-Night Meals: Try to finish eating at least 3 hours before bedtime. This gives your stomach time to empty before you lie down.
- Wear Loose Clothing: Tight clothing around your waist can increase the likelihood of reflux.
So, by treating your sleep apnea with CPAP therapy, you're not only getting better sleep but also reducing those pesky GERD symptoms. It's a win-win for your health and your comfort.
Thanks for being here, I’ll see you next week!
