Recently I had a personal conversation with a friend who was struggling with reflux symptoms.  During our conversation my friend started questioning the possibility of him having apnea based on some night time awakenings he was having and asked if there is a connection with GERD (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and obstructive sleep apnea?

Although the relationship is not clear, researchers do see a connection between GERD and Sleep Apnea, or sleep disordered breathing.  In fact, 50-75% of people with apnea also have GERD symptoms.  Treating one disorder often can help the symptoms of the other.  It is possible that painful reflux results in interrupted sleep.  The person may or may not remember the cause of night waking the next day.

Likewise, untreated apnea results in wakefulness at night leading to increased GERD symptoms.  Another cause may be CPAP machine side-effects.  While the positive airflow prevents interrupted breathing, it also many expand the stomach slightly.  This, in turn, can lead to more reflux.

It is still unknown if apnea causes reflux, or vice-versa.  It is not known if either condition worsens the other.  If you suffer from both, it is wise to see both a gastroenterologist and a sleep medicine professional.  Be sure to tell both doctors about both conditions.

For more information about Sleep Apnea and treatment, contact us!

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 *Information gathered from: http://www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/sleep-apnea-and-gerd.aspx

This is a tough one! Over the past decade and a half, I have come across so many individuals, both men and women that have complained about his or her sleep partner’s snoring.  In many cases, the snoring individual is reluctant to getting help, quite frankly, because the snoring is really not bothering that person. When the snorer realizes the impact it has on family and finances, he or she is more likely to take action.

I wish I had the magic answer to this one.  I can tell you what my team and I have heard over the years that helped spur the snorer to seek help.

• Couples have moved into separate bedrooms and are tired of it.
• Refusing to travel together and share rooms, which often leads to higher expenses
• Pleading from other family members that they are worried about their health or, in some circumstances, death during the breathing struggles.
• Suffering spouses make the appointment for their partner and plead with them to go together for the appointment.
• Increased insistence from the person’s physician or health care provider.
• Embarrassing your partner in public at events.
• Giving the snorer some literature on the potential dangers associated with snoring. (Ask us if you need some.)
• Refusal of sex.
• Threatening to terminate the relationship.

We don’t recommend all of these choices, as some may not be helpful for the snorer. The key is for the person to realize the impact snoring has on their daily life and happiness.

If all else fails, consider getting the snoring individual to listen in the car or elsewhere to our recorded powerful podcast called Treating Snoring: A Life and Death Decision with myself and Dr. Steve Park.  You can access it here at http://www.tiredofsnoring.com/2012/01/1048/

I can’t tell you how many times a week in our practice that a patient will ask me this. It’s a great question!

Sleep is crucial to our health and well-being, and we happen to live in a sleep-deprived country.  With all the late night access to stores, television, and all of today’s electronics, sleep is an area often being jeopardized.

Below is a wonderful guide in helping determine amounts of sleep necessary for optimal alertness and quality of life.

However, I have found that certain people have built-in time clocks internally “set”. No matter how many times they try to sleep longer their body “won’t let them”. Research has shown that there may be a genetic link to how much sleep one really needs.

But if you feel you are not getting enough sleep consider starting slowly to increase your sleep time. Try extending your sleep by half hour in the morning or at bedtime on the weekends to start. Consider not napping during the day so that at bedtime you may be drowsier. Avoid working long into the night or watching TV too late. Some foods are listed below that may affect your sleep.

Try to avoid certain food and beverages at bedtime:

• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated drinks
• Fried and fatty foods
• Garlic and onions
• Mint and mint flavorings
• Spicy foods
• Tomato based foods, ie spaghetti, pizza, chili

For more information on sleep including healthy sleep tips, visit the website of the National Sleep Foundation.

by Mary Ellen Hughes, Clinical director at Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois