Interesting article on Gerd and Apnea.

Impact of treatment of gastroesophageal reflux on obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.
FRIEDMAN M, GURPINAR B, LIN HC, SCHALCH P, JOSEPH NJ.
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2007;116(11):805-11.
Department of Otolaryngology and Bronchoesophagology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: We test the hypothesis that treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can improve obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: One hundred forty-six patients with OSAHS underwent a complete history-taking, physical examination, and laboratory testing, including questions related to GERD symptoms. Full-night attended polysomnography, 24-hour wireless pH study at the upper esophagus, snoring level evaluation, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and quality-of-life surveys were completed for each patient. Patients who tested positive for GERD were treated with esomeprazole magnesium 40 mg once daily for 2 to 12 months. The 24-hour pH study was repeated, and those patients with elimination of GERD were reevaluated by polysomnography, snoring level evaluation, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, quality-of-life surveys, and subjective data collection. RESULTS: Forty-one patients completed single-dose treatment with esomeprazole, but the repeat 24-hour pH study showed that 9 patients had persistent GERD. In the 29 patients who completed phase 2 with normal pH study findings, the snoring level decreased from 9.7 +/- 0.5 to 7.9 +/- 1.3 (p < .0001), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 14.2 +/- 2.5 to 11.1 +/- 2.4 (p < .0001), the apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 37.9 +/- 19.1 to 28.8 +/- 11.5 (p = .006), and the minimum saturation of oxygen increased from 84.1% +/- 7.8% to 86.9% +/- 5.0% (p = .055). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of GERD had a significant impact on the reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index, snoring, and daytime sleepiness. Elimination of GERD should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with OSAHS."

even a simple thing like elevating the head of the bed a few inches can help also with reflux.i place a brick under the bed legs. ranitadine helps me too.

deerslayer wrote:even a simple thing like elevating the head of the bed a few inches can help also with reflux.i place a brick under the bed legs. ranitadine helps me too.

Funny, I was on Ranitadine for several years, then the insurance co deided to take it off their list. Then I was on Nexxium for a couple of years, then the ins. co. decided to take it off the list. When it was taken off the list Ranitidine was put back on the list and that's what I take now.

Interesting study. Personally, I have had much less trouble with heartburn since starting CPAP. Not one of the benefits I was looking for, but I am very pleasd with it!