Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as acid reflux, is common among patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Choosing to treat obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy may allow patients to “kill two birds with one stone” as they say. It appears that using an oral appliance may also reduce acid reflux symptoms.

A small study looked at dental patients who wanted to use an oral appliance to treat their obstructive sleep apnea. Patients answered a questionnaire about acid reflux symptoms. Once patients began using the oral appliance they were given the same questionnaire. Using the oral appliance reduced the amount of acid reflux symptoms reported. The reason why an oral appliance would help reduce acid reflux is unclear due to the nature of the study.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is not only linked to acid reflux. Symptoms and side effects include daytime sleepiness, lack of energy, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and a high incidence of accidents. If you snore loudly, feel exhausted all of the time and are steadily gaining weight you may have obstructive sleep apnea.

To find out how you can get diagnosed and to discuss your treatment options please contact Mark Levy, D.D.S. in Gahanna, OH at 614-476-6696 today.