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Sleep Apnea and digestive disorders

Posted by sickntired on July 03, 2007 at 10:55:09:

This is a new post in regards to breathing disorders and digestive problems.

-Sleep apnea can induce or aggravate GE reflux. When a person struggles to breathe in against a collapsed upper airway, a vacuum effect is created in the chest--which can pull acid up into the esophagus--much like sucking on a straw! Treatment of sleep apnea can help GE reflux during sleep, if the sleep center is equipped to monitor esophageal acidity levels.

Sleep-related wheezing, asthmatic symptoms and shortness of breath can be caused by GE reflux during sleep. The reflux may escape detection if pH monitoring is not performed, since heartburn and hyperacidity symptoms may not be present.

-Both sleep apnea and GE reflux can cause arousals and frightening awakenings with choking, gasping, coughing and breathlessness. If esophageal acidity levels are not monitored in suspicious cases, it can be impossible to tell whether the patient is having reflux with or without coexisting sleep apnea.


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  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


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