Medslant Acid Reflux Newsletter

Sleep Apnea, Gerd, And LPR

The medical community has long suspected a relationship between GERD and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). Patients with OSA stop breathing during sleep because the soft palate, located in the back of the throat, collapses and blocks the upper airway. Symptoms include snoring and daytime sleepiness. But now, a team of researchers has shown a significant link between LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) and sleep apnea. LPR is the backflow of stomach contents up the esophagus and into the upper airway whereas GERD includes backflow only into the esophagus. The damage from LPR can be extensive and includes symptoms such as altered voice, constant throat clearing, vocal fatigue and coughing.

Since aging and obesity can both contribute to sleep apnea, research suggests that the number of people affected will grow as the population ages. The current estimate is that right now, almost 10% of the US population suffers from OSA but that almost 35% of the population 40 and older suffers from LPR.

Sleep Apnea can heighten the risk of hypertension, diabetes and heart attacks because it heightens carbon dioxide levels in the blood stream and stresses the cardiovascular system.

Lifestyle changes are important: achieve and maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, avoid alcohol and sedatives, and sleep elevated on your side. Both side and elevated sleep help prevent the airway from closing.

Most important, get a professional diagnosis and follow your doctor's advice for your specific symptoms.

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Getting Scammed By Medical Web Sites

While most of us agree that being informed active participants in our own health care is important, we also need to realize that not every Google or other on line resource is accurate. The Medical Library Association for professional guidance on evaluating the trustworthiness of health sites recommends using the following criteria:

Who sponsors the site? Identify who is funding the site. If it is a drug company, that could show bias.

Is the site up to date? When was the site created and when was it last updated? If there are no available dates, it may or may not be current.

Who are the sources? Does the site identify its sources and tell you who was interviewed?

Who is the audience? Is the site intended for consumers or medical professionals? Does it present one or several philosophies? Just because something is on line does not mean it is based on fact.

The Lingo Of Gerd

The hundreds of internet pages and multiple store isles devoted to digestive diseases can make things confusing. With all of this available information, it can be tempting to self treat any reflux systems. But perhaps the best first step is a visit to your doctor or other health care professional. Before you make decisions and purchases based on your own diagnosis, get professional help.

The lingo can be confusing. Heartburn and indigestion are symptoms of acid reflux disease. Drug manufacturers and the press have coined the terms "acid reflux" or "acid reflux disease" to describe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. But if you only feel indigestion or heartburn occasionally, and this is normal, what you probably have is GER, gastroesophageal reflux.

Whatever you have, if you experience the feelings of indigestion or heartburn more than twice a week, skip the drug isle and see a physician first.

Please keep the emails and phone calls coming to customerservice@medslant.com and 1.800.346.1850. I love hearing from you.

Wishing you a good night's sleep,

Adele

Customer Feedback "Thank you, MedSlant! I have suffered from sleep apnea for many years. I am not overweight, don't smoke, and eat a reflux friendly diet. I tried a CPAP machine and just could not use it. I don't want to take PPI's for a long period of time. Desperate to find something to help, I decided to try your pillow. I saw a small change immediately, but after sleeping on your comfortable pillow for almost a month, even my doctor is amazed. My sleep apnea is almost gone and I have so much more energy. Thanks!" -- Mildred K, OH

The MedSlant wedge pillow helps relieve the symptoms of Acid Reflux, heartburn, GERD, acid indigestion, sinus congestion, Gastroesophogeal Reflux, etc. for a healthier, more restful good night's sleep. The content providedhere is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician(s). Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.



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