Do you often wake up in the morning feeling exhausted—to wake up feeling the same way? If so, then you may not be getting the sleep your body truly needs to recuperate overnight. In fact, you might just have a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. Thankfully, your dentist offers sleep apnea treatment in Las Vegas—and it might just be able to help you treat other health conditions as well!
Sleep Apnea and Acid Reflux
During an episode of sleep apnea, a person’s breathing temporarily stops because of the airway becoming blocked from a falling jaw. Many people have undiagnosed sleep apnea because they sleep alone and it’s difficult to spot the symptoms if you’re not even conscious.
However, what is often diagnosed by physicians all over is gastroesophageal reflux, GERD, or what is more commonly called acid reflux.
Studies have pointed to the fact that there is a slight relation between acid reflux and obstructive sleep apnea. Moreover, discovering one may help to treat the other!
With obstructive sleep apnea, you airway becomes blocked when your tongue, jaw, and/or other soft tissue in your throat relax.
Among people who have acid reflux, well over half of them report that the heartburn they feel with this condition happens more often at night. Starting to see the connection?
The law of gravity helps to explain this phenomenon. During the day when you are awake, your upright position prevents anything from abnormally entering your throat. Contrary to day, when you lie down to finally rest at night, that stomach acid can easily creep up and cause that uncomfortable burning sensation in your throat.
Treat Sleep Apnea and Acid Reflux at the Same Time
Sometimes, acid reflux can be treated all while you treat your sleeping disorder. Your dentist will treat sleep apnea with a custom oral appliance that keeps your airway clear. It works to prevent pauses in your breathing by forcibly (but gently) keeping your jaw in an upright position.
Plus, you can try these helpful tips from our dental office to remedy your acid reflux symptoms at night:
- Avoid snacking late at night so that your stomach has time to digest everything in your stomach much earlier than before you go to bed.
- Sleep on a wedge instead of a standard pillow. A wedge keeps your body from reclining too far back and allowing stomach acid to creep up the esophagus.
- Elevate the head of your bed, so that your head is several inches above your feet. You can do this by placing a couple of bricks or bed risers under the posts at the head of your bed. This helps to prevent acid from leaking back into your esophagus.
We can help you find out more about sleep apnea and acid reflux when you contact our office. But more importantly, we can help you with a recommend appropriate treatment!
About Our Office
Here at iSleepSolutions, we want you to feel good during the day and night. We’re here to help you obtain a full night’s rest again—something that greatly benefits your whole body. Learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Summerlin by calling us today.