Monday, March 1, 2010

GERD

Question
I have episodes about every 3 months where I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my airway is cut off.  My doctor doesnt think it is sleep apnea because i dont have it regularly.  I wake up and feel like it takes a few minutes to get my breath back again.  I do have problems with acid reflux and usually after an episode will have some reflux come up.  Can GERD cause you to have breathing problems like that?  I dont have any problems with breathing during the day, but do have nausea and have been eating a lot of tomato based products lately.  I have also had more heartburn than normal.


Answer
Yes ger can do it you need to sleep on a wedge pillow you can buy them at a surgical supply store, this also helps the gerd, you might ask your doctor to put you on nexium at night. feel free to email again.  Now if you snore or are overweight then it could be sleep apnea. go to sleepnet.com click on disorders sleep apnea to read about it,   if it sounds like you then consider going to a sleep center. Your local hospital can refer you. however i believe you are describing gerd though im no md. feel free to email again karel