This is part of a series of posts from “Sleep Interrupted” by Dr. Steven Park a John Hopkins trained ENT. We strongly suggest understanding your condition and “Sleep Interrupted” clearly explains why proper breathing is so important to our wellbeing.
Getting a good night’s sleep and waking up rested increases your productivity and alertness therefore lessening your chances of injury or death.
“For example, with total upper airway obstruction, a tremendous vacuum effect is created in the chest and throat, literally sucking up stomach acid into the throat.
There are many other proposed mechanisms for this condition, such as a relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally prevents stomach contents from regurgitating into the esophagus.
There are also numerous studies that suggest that acid in the throat can aggravate airway collapse merely by numbing the protective airway reflexes present in normal people. These pressure sensors in the throat can detect when there is impending collapse and send a signal to the brain to tighten up throat and tongue muscles.
When acid is present in the throat it can cause more swelling of the delicate surrounding tissues, which promotes additional throat collapse, thus further aggravating this vicious cycle. A recent study suggests that for people who snore, the tremendous soft tissue vibrations caused by snoring can numb or deaden these pressure receptors, worsening any pre-existing upper airway obstruction.” “Sleep Interrupted” by Dr. Steven Park.
In many cases of Acid Reflux people suffer and don’t even understand what is happening to them. Understanding the above can be instrumental in helping your doctor help you with what could be a very painful and serious condition.
Sleeping flat on your back can collapse your airway starting a secondary cycle of Acid Reflux, while sleeping on an angle by using Reflux Guard© can be instrumental in unwinding this cycle and possibly even help with the initial issue all without medicine and its side effect.
Related
https://www.refluxguard.com/home-remedies-for-stomach-acid-reflux-at-nighttime
