Sleep Disorders - GERD can Cause Poor Night Sleep
Heartburn is the most common symptom of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is a condition in which stomach acid or bile flows back (refluxes) into your food pipe (esophagus) even when you are standing because the pressure in the abdomen (where the stomach is present) is greater than the pressure in the chest (where the esophagus is present). This constant backward of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus causing it to be inflamed and irritated.
The esophagus normally contracts (i.e., after swallowing), and this sends a wave down the length of the esophagus, pushing food down into the stomach and clearing the esophagus. Thus, any stomach juices that reflux up into the esophagus are sent back down. Saliva also helps to neutralize the acid brought up into the esophagus. Since the esophagus is above the stomach when we are standing, this helps limit exposure of the esophagus to stomach juices.
If you are suffering with GERD, you have worse reflux after meals (because the increased content in the stomach leads to higher pressures) and at night (because when you lie down, you lose the protective effect of gravity).
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