Did you know that acid reflux can directly cause snoring?
Snoring is the result of the vibration of the soft tissues in the upper airways during sleep. It is influenced by several contributing factors, among which is acid reflux.
Acid reflux is a very common condition – and if you suffer from habitual moderate or severe snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, acid reflux might be the culprit. How are snoring and reflux linked?
Acid Reflux & GORD – What Are They?
Acid reflux, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD (called GERD in the USA) are umbrella terms for several conditions that cause the contents of the stomach to flow back up into the oesophagus (which is the food pipe between the mouth and the stomach).
This condition occurs because of a weakened or dysfunctional gastro-oesophageal sphincter. This is the band of muscle that joins the bottom of the oesophagus to the top of the stomach. When it works properly, it is a strong, one-way valve that relaxes so food can enter the stomach; it then contracts to prevent reflux or back-leakage of the stomach contents (food and digestive juices including stomach acid) into and up the oesophagus.
Some factors that contribute to GORD include:
- Being overweight/obese – this increases the pressure between the abdomen and the chest
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking/vaping
- Caffeine consumption, especially at night
- Overeating/eating too fast
- Highly acidic diet (e.g. citrus, tomatoes, meat, processed foods, carbonated drinks), high-fat foods, and spicy foods
- Pregnancy
- Some medications – including anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen), iron and potassium supplements, and some antidepressants, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and certain diabetes/weight loss medications (e.g. Metformin, Ozempic)
- Hiatus hernia – occurs when the junction between the oesophagus and the stomach becomes displaced and part of the stomach extends above the diaphragm.
Stress is known to worsen the symptoms of GORD. Genetics likely also play a role.
Symptoms of GORD include:
- Indigestion, heartburn, and chest pain
- Burping or feeling bloated
- Nausea
- Persistent nighttime cough
- Hoarseness
- Snoring
- Regurgitation (tasting acid in the throat or mouth)
- Sore throat – especially in the morning
According to the Best Practice Advocacy Centre New Zealand, 15-20% of adults in NZ experience heartburn (the major symptom of GORD) at least once weekly.
GORD causes chronic exposure of the oesophagus to stomach acid. The tissues lining the oesophagus are not designed for this (unlike the tissues lining the stomach) and this can result in various complications including:
- vocal cord inflammation
- sore throat
- chronic cough
- tooth decay
- sinusitis
- oesophageal scarring, inflammation, erosion, and bleeding
Between 10% and 20% of people with GORD will go on to develop Barrett’s oesophagus. This is an inflammatory response that changes the lining of the lower oesophagus, ultimately increasing the risk of developing oesophageal cancer.
(Other conditions often mistaken for GORD include gastric ulcer disease, functional dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori infection, and irritable bowel syndrome.)
How Are GORD & Snoring Associated?
Many sleeping issues are caused by GORD, as it worsens when lying down; flare-ups can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is usually due to heartburn, chest pain, and coughing. Moreover, saliva helps neutralise stomach acid – but saliva production and swallowing are reduced during sleep, making nighttime worse for acid reflux.
Any acid reflux can disrupt sleep and cause snoring, but in people with GORD, the chronic nature of the reflux is what causes most issues.
Medical scientists have also identified direct links between GORD and obstructive sleep apnea.
How does GORD make you snore?
During the day, when you’re sitting or standing, the effect of gravity minimises acid reflux. When you lie down, however, acid from the stomach much more easily travels upwards. If this happens, it irritates the upper airways, causing swelling and inflammation, and snoring is often inevitable.
A lot of people only occasionally suffer from acid reflux at night – this is especially likely after drinking alcohol or eating a large or late fatty or spicy meal. For people with GORD, however, ongoing, regular acid reflux can cause chronic snoring.
Dealing With GORD Symptoms
A lot of strategies that relieve symptoms of GORD also help minimise snoring:
- Avoid foods that cause symptoms (fatty, spicy, acidic)
- Eat a smaller nighttime meal
- Avoid eating within 3-4 hours of bedtime
- Lose weight if you are overweight/obese
- Moderate or stop drinking alcohol
- Stop smoking/vaping
- Sleep on your left side. This minimises the possible exposure of the oesophagus to stomach acid.
- Raise the head of your bed by up to 15cm if practical. This allows gravity to help keep stomach acid down.
See your GP if you have ongoing symptoms such as heartburn or acid reflux. GORD is a health condition and it requires a proper medical diagnosis to rule out more serious problems, and ongoing monitoring/management. Some people need prescription medicine to treat GORD but this can only occur in consultation with your doctor.
See your doctor immediately if you have GORD or experience difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, vomit blood, have unexplained weight loss, or if you’re over age 55 and suddenly have new or worse GORD symptoms.
There are over-the-counter medicines that can help temporarily alleviate mild to moderate symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux (e.g. Qwik-Eze, Gaviscon, Mylanta, Zantac) but these should not be used frequently without first checking with your doctor. (They may also interact or interfere with certain other medicines).
Limit the impact of GORD on snoring by using effective snoring cures in NZ like ApneaRx – this is an effective way to help open your airways to limit the impact of acid reflux on your sleep and snoring or sleep apnea.
Help Prevent Snoring with ApneaRx
Preventing snoring for a better night’s sleep is very important – and snoring treatment/sleep apnea treatment devices can help enormously, even if GORD is the reason you snore. ApneaRx is a very effective snoring solution and it is ideal for use by people whose snoring is caused or worsened by acid reflux or GORD.
ApneaRx is budget-friendly, convenient, and safe to use for adults of all ages. Worn in the mouth during sleep, it gently positions the lower jaw forward in 1-10mm increments (you set it at the level that’s right for you). This helps reduce (or even stop) snoring by opening the airways and limiting soft tissue vibrations. These are what cause snoring. Order your ApneaRx today! This snoring solution has been clinically tested to treat some symptoms associated with mild to moderate sleep apnea. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month manufacturer warranty. So, why not say “hello” to a more peaceful, more comfortable, and healthier night’s sleep?
