Acid Reflux During Sleep

If you don't sleep very well and wake up with a terrible taste in your mouth, or if your partner complains suddenly about bad breath, you could be experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease or "GERD". This condition is more commonly known as acid reflux. This is one of the most common causes of poor sleep in the general population with as many as 25% of people who sleep poorly and do not have a prior sleep condition suffering from acid reflux.

Acid Reflux During Sleep and Sleep Apnea

Just like people suffering from Sleep Apnea, if you suffer from Acid Reflux during sleep then you body partially awakens, knocking you out of REM sleep. This can easily worsen how you feel in the morning even if you are compliant with your Sleep Apnea equipment. Oftentimes, you may not realize that you are suffering from Acid Reflux during sleep because by the time you have woken up, your stomach has digested and all you are left with is a bad taste in your mouth.

Acid Reflux During Sleep Treatment

Generally, the treatment for Acid Reflux during sleep is the same as treating GERD during the daytime. There are many things we consume which can worsen the symptoms such as alcohol, fatty foods, and chocolate. Eating before bed can also worsen symptoms. Just like with Sleep Apnea, Acid Reflux during sleep can be much worse if you sleep on your back. Luckily, there are a great deal of over-the-counter medicines that can help such as calcium tablets or antacids like Tums.

If changing your behavior or taking an over-the-counter medication does not relieve issues of Acid Reflux during sleep, your doctor can prescribe stronger medication.