Reflux and Sleep Apnea
Posted , 3 users are following.
I have a Hiatus Hernia and diagnosed lower esophagus reflex. Problem is the reflux gets into my sinuses, can affect my hearing and I often wake with a left eye problem because of reflux in the sinuses. Xrays disclose sinus damage. Also blood blisters in my mouth are common from acid reflux. I do take PPI's regularly, bed tipped etc but could not manage the problem.
Doctors ans specialists say reflux cannot get into your sinuses. They knew nothing. After ten years of trying to manage this I finally met a GP who suggested Sleep Apnea may be the cause. and it was.
80% of people with Sleep Apnea do not know they have it and it can take ten years off your life span. If i do everything right now I no longer have reflux symptoms. Because reflux damage is insidious I still take the PPI's. You can still do damage but not feel it.
The sleep apnea breathing difficulties were assisting the reflux to go much higher then it should. Now I am being treated for sleep apnea, my reflux is trivial to control.
0 likes, 5 replies
Buck_girl Guest
Posted
Guest Buck_girl
Posted
Each morning when I woke I had congested sinuses and thought it was an allergy. Nope it wasn't, it was reflux. I thought it was strange because all my life I have not been allergic to anything. The constricted breathing cause by Sleep Apnea "pumped" the reflux up much higher into my throat and sinuses.
The doctors and specialists are dunces when it come to sleep apnea. They will treat your esophagus or throat cancers caused by reflux. They will treat you blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, liver and kidney damage caused by Sleep Apnea. But they neglect to stop the problems at the source. They don't see it as their responsibility. They will not even see that they have failed you. You have to take responsibility yourself.
Suggest you research sleep apnea symptoms and have a sleep study done if applicable.
To treat my reflex I put on a mask at bedtime and no more reflux symptoms (or very little).
Will I stop taking the PPI's = no (the slight reflux will still damage even though no pain.)
If you are over 60, perhaps a bit overweight, perhaps snore, get tired during the day then you probably have SA. If you do not have SA then using a mask will not help.
- John
Buck_girl Guest
Posted
Guest Buck_girl
Posted
Sleep Apnea can happen at any age but typically between 55 and 60.
I use a full face mask. It seems most use a nasal mask but it did not suit me.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea is more complicated that I said, it is not just a mask. The mask is connected via a hose to a small machine which pumps air, the pump can be as small as a cig packet. It pumps very low pressure air into the mask (eg, 0.25 of a psi) to keep your airways open.
The machine make less noise than a fridge, the results are life-changing. It takes time to be able to tolerate the mask, but eventually you look forward to it because you know you will feel great the next day.
In the USA this stuff is well subsidised. Unfortunately I live in Australia.
The machine I use to make my reflux manageable is -->
No more stuffed up sinuses in the morning.
No pain from reflux
No tiredness from sleep apnea
No damaged organs from low oxygen levels
Why do we have to go to many health professionals before one eventually gets the correct diagnosis???
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sneal79 Guest
Posted
That's great John! I too am meeting with a sleep doctor on Tuesday and will see if I can get a sleep study done. I can't take PPI's as they make me feel terrible. I had a plugged ear when my reflux was at it's worst. I did go on the Acid Watchers Diet and it helped a ton! As you add foods back you learn your triggers too.