March 12, 2026
On the surface, it may seem like sleep apnea and acid reflux shouldn’t have anything to do with each other. In reality, the two often go hand in hand; statistics show that around 60 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea also have acid reflux. What exactly is the connection between these two health issues? And what steps can you take to address them?
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while you’re asleep. These breathing interruptions can force your brain to wake your body up for air, thus disrupting the sleep cycle. Consequently, people with sleep apnea find it difficult to get a good night’s rest and often feel excessively sleepy during the day. In most cases, sleep apnea is the result of the airway being obstructed by soft tissues near the back of the throat.
Meanwhile, acid reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short) is when stomach acid travels up your esophagus. This often results in heartburn as well as a sore throat.
Untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk for acid reflux. An obstructed airway can cause your body to work harder to breathe, which can put negative pressure in the chest. As a consequence of this pressure, stomach acid is pulled up toward the throat.
On top of that, acid reflux can end up making your sleep apnea more severe. Stomach acid can cause inflammation in the throat and narrow the airway, which can ultimately put you at a higher risk for breathing interruptions.
Since sleep apnea and acid reflux often make each other worse, addressing one can also help address the other. It’s therefore in your best interest to pursue appropriate forms of treatment as quickly as possible.
In many cases, sleep apnea can be treated with a personalized oral appliance. When you wear this device at night, it moves your jaw slightly forward, which helps keep your airway open while you’re asleep.
Meanwhile, addressing acid reflux often involves making a few small lifestyle changes. For example, eating right before bed can increase stomach acid levels and make acid reflux more likely to occur. It’s therefore advisable to avoid eating anything for at least three hours before the time you would normally go to sleep.
Sleep apnea and acid reflux can both take a toll on your quality of life, but fortunately, there are plenty of steps you can take to get both issues under control.
Here at GoTo Sleep Center Glendale, we aim to help all of our patients enjoy a better night’s rest. We offer convenient take-home sleep tests that can be used to diagnose sleep-disordered breathing. Furthermore, we provide fully customized oral appliances that can go a long way toward reducing sleep apnea symptoms. If you suspect that you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you can schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable team by visiting our website or calling (623) 299-8799.
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