Have you ever thought that your acid reflux or acidity can also occur when you are asleep? Yes, it can happen and you may not even realise that you are constantly disturbed from having a good night sleep due to acidity.
Acidity or acid reflux can happen at any time and not just right after your meal. Let us learn about acidity, how sleep and acidity are connected and different ways to manage acid reflux so that you can have a sound sleep.
Before knowing about acidity, it is better to have some knowledge about our stomach so that it will help you in understanding acidity and how it occurs. The food we eat has to pass through a food pipe called the oesophagus and then it reaches the stomach. Note that it is a one-way passage, there is a valve at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach called the Lower Oesophageal Sphincter (LES). It is a band of tissue that opens when the food has to enter the stomach and closes as soon as food reaches the stomach.
When the muscles of the LES are relaxed, the acid produced in the stomach for digestion purpose escapes or travels backwards into the oesophagus. The acid in the oesophagus irritates the lining of the oesophagus causing an array of symptoms. Sometimes this acid along with undigested food also reaches the mouth leaving a bad taste in the mouth.
Each person experiences at least one of the symptoms when suffering from acidity. Some people refer to acidity as acid reflux.
When the symptoms of acidity are severe and occurring more than twice a week, it is called Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
When you are suffering from acidity over a period of time irrespective of dietary factors, it results in GERD. GERD not only disrupts the quality of life but can also cause various complications such as –
OSA is a sleep disorder characterised by obstruction of the airway, as a result, the person stops breathing for some time (10- 20 secs) during sleep. When the muscles of the throat relax, the airway narrows or closes, thus breathing stops. When the oxygen supply to the brain is reduced it wakes the person up and again the person starts breathing. This pattern repeats throughout the sleep about 20 times or so and is called sleep apnea. The person may not be aware of this condition. This is a dangerous condition that needs medical attention.
Research has established a relationship between GERD and obstructive sleep apnea as 60% of patients with sleep apnea also experience GERD. It is to be noted that obesity is a common factor in both GERD and OSA. But the exact mechanism is not yet established. It is believed that when an episode of sleep apnea occurs, the pressure in the chest varies making things favourable for acid reflux like relaxing of the oesophagal muscles and LES, thus facilitating the backward flow of acids causing acid reflux.
Often due to acid reflux, the gastric acid may travel backwards from the stomach and if you are awake, it reaches your mouth but when you are asleep, it may reach your lungs, which is also called chocking.
Trouble falling asleep and disturbed sleep over a period of time is called insomnia. Insomnia leads to severe fatigue and lethargy throughout the day.
The person suffering from acid reflux often awakes at night with a cough or choking or with a weird taste in the mouth. This happens as a person with acid reflux sleep in a horizontal position as this facilitates the contents of the stomach to reach up to the mouth. But during the day time, the same reflux won’t cause the contents of the stomach to reach your mouth as the gravity helps in confining the contents only to the stomach or mid-chest. Thus acid reflux causes disturbance in sleep and makes it difficult for the person to fall asleep until they sit in a reclining position or stand to help gravity do its job.
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You can ease your symptoms with simple strategies at home as mentioned below –
Many medicines can treat acid reflux but your doctor is the person to assess the severity of your condition and treat accordingly with prescription medicines as mentioned below.
Antacids like Sucralfate provide symptomatic relief by neutralising the acids and decreasing the acid penetration in the oesophagus or food pipe. This provides only interim relief but not useful for prolonged management of acid reflux.
H2 receptor blockers like cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine reduce acid production. They are more effective than antacids but they do not act as quickly as antacids in providing relief.
PPIs include lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole. They are considered to be more effective than H2 receptor blockers as they not only reduce acid production but also help in healing the injured lining of the stomach and oesophagus.
Also Read: Acidity Problems? 14 Home Remedies That Can Help
If you are suffering from the symptoms of acid reflux often then it is always better to consult a doctor and get diagnosed and treated for GERD, rather than ignoring the symptoms. If you ignore them for a very long time it may lead to future complications. And also inadequate sleep has many deleterious effects on both your health and the quality of your life. Both sleep issues and GERD are interrelated and influence one another thus forming a vicious cycle. Your doctor upon assessing your symptoms will determine the management of both your sleep issues and acid reflux.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Sleep is a vital function that is often compromised in our lives these days. The prime reasons for this neglect are overworking throughout the day and leading an unhealthy and unregulated lifestyle. The present generation glorifies being a workaholic and wears sleep deprivation (visibly noticeable by the appearance of dark circles, swollen eyes and pale and dull-looking skin as per the American Academy of Sleep Medicine) as a badge of honour. Sleeping less than 5 – 6 hours a couple of times a month, though acceptable, can become an overarching health problem if it becomes a staple habit in due time.
The pandemic has significantly increased stress and anxiety in people’s lives. Not only has work pressure increased but also the stress and negativity at home and the outside world has impacted mental health adversely. This has taken a toll on sleep at night. As per the Sleep Foundation Organisation, the Pandemic has led to the formation of a new concept known as ‘Coronasomnia’ which refers to corona induced insomnia troubles.
In this blog, we will take a look at the benefits of good sleep for your mental as well as physical well-being.
1. Less Sleep Equals to More Weight Gain
As per many studies, poor sleep or shorter sleep duration at night is linked to obesity as well as weight gain. Sleeping fewer hours impacts your hormones and makes your muscles sore. This makes exercising difficult. Furthermore, effects of poor sleep include an increase in your appetite for more carbohydrate-enriched or sugary foods thereby contributing to your weight gain. This is because sleep deprivation leads to a decrease in the hormone called leptin which sends the message of satiety to your brain and increases the hormone ghrelin which promotes more feelings of hunger.
Sleeping for 7 – 8 hours solid every night is essential for a healthy and well-functioning body.
2. Poor Sleep Quality Makes You Depressive
Mental health disorders are strongly linked to sleep disorders. Those who sleep for less than 6 hours every night stand a high chance of developing insomnia and feel irritable and less productive during the day. Chronic insomnia conditions were in turn interlinked with depression and anxiety. When it comes to good mental health the importance of good sleep is uncontested.
Some of the most serious potential problems associated with chronic sleep deprivation are high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Other potential problems include obesity, depression, reduced immune system function and lower sex drive.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
3. Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Overall Health
It has been scientifically proven that those who slept for shorter durations had a more compromised immune system. Such people were more prone to catching colds and flu. Sleeping 8 hours daily can strengthen your immunity and help you to fight commonplace conditions such as the common cold.
Additionally, when you don’t sleep properly, the cells of your body get insufficient time to repair. Sleep loss also aggravates cell damage and leads to inflammation. The benefits of good sleep include keeping long-term inflammatory issues such as Crohn’s disease under control.
4. Good Quality Sleep Promotes Productivity and Focus
This is a known fact that poor sleep adversely affects your cognitive powers and concentration. When you sleep properly at night, it helps you to focus better at work or school/college. You are more alert and less forgetful. Those who slept 6 – 8 hours every day were found to be more productive with their time as opposed to those who slept less or did not sleep at all to finish their tasks.
A good night’s rest is essential for memory consolidation. When we are awake we acquire or learn new things and also recall these bits of information when the need arises. For something to become a part of our long-term memory, it needs to settle in the deeper recesses of the brain. This process is known as consolidation and it takes place when you sleep at night.
5. Poor Sleep Affects Skin and Health
Another known fact is that of the importance of good sleep for healthy skin and hair. When you sleep less, your body releases cortisol, a stress hormone that further catalyses the breakdown of collagen. Collagen is a type of protein that promotes skin elasticity and makes it look younger and glowing. Poor sleep contributes to fine lines, puffiness, wrinkles, dark circles and overall makes you look dull and older than your years. Good quality sleep promotes healthy skin and shiny and smooth hair.
Also Read: Lifestyle Changes for Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Guide to Improve Quality of Life
Getting a good night’s sleep is no rocket science and can be easily achieved by following a few tips. But once you embark on your mission to get the quality sleep you must ensure to maintain consistency otherwise soon you will fall into your old ways. Here are a few ways you can aim to get restful sleep:
Also Read: Role of Stress & Sleep in Epilepsy Management: A Comprehensive Research-Based Guide
Sleep is essential for a well-functioning mind and body. During sleep, your body and brain undergo an array of repair processes. If you feel that the pandemic has disrupted your sleep cycle and you are suffering from various sleep disorders, it is advised that you seek medical attention. The more you disregard the importance of good sleep at night the more you put yourself at risk of developing various health disorders.
Also Read: Can Sleep Apnea Kill You? Uncovering the Truth
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
To compete with the pace of life getting faster every year, it seems like we have forgotten to give adequate rest to our mind and body. With work and other responsibilities demanding a lot of our attention and energy, regular and healthy sleep is almost seen as an inconvenience rather than a necessity.
A recent study showed that about 53% of Indians sleep late, preferring to scroll through social media instead of getting an early night and a few others had disturbed sleep through the night. Sleep is involved in physical and mental health and sleep loss can lead to severe negative impacts on both of them.
The causes of lack of sleep are varied across individuals but a few common themes can be seen. Social media and the internet itself has become a battleground for grabbing and keeping the attention of user’s, whether it’s through algorithms or addictive apps and games. People fall into a routine of winding their day down with social media or YouTube, assuming this helps them relax before bed.
The fact is, these apps and the internet as a whole, stimulates the brain keeping it engaged and not allowing for any mental relaxation to take place. This leads to a delay of sleep, sometimes for hours on end, which of course leads to several physiological issues. Of course, there are many other causes of lack of sleep and social media/apps/the internet when used appropriately can have many benefits. It isn’t just something negative that you have to avoid all the time.
Having a newborn may also be a sweet cause of sleep loss, while other causes of lack of sleep include insomnia and anxiety, stress, depression or a change of schedule. Some diseases, medicines, sleep disorders and illnesses may also lead to improper sleep such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome. Ageing may also lead to chronic sleep loss.
Sleep Loss on a few occasions typically does not lead to any drastic effects on your mind or body, except that you might feel tired. However, the effects of sleep deprivation, especially chronically lacking sleep, can be grave and may require treatment.
Despite the issues associated with it, sleep loss can be fixed. Fixing your sleep cycle depends upon the causes of disruption of sleep. The hopeful fact is that, once your body is trained, a lot of your symptoms and issues will disappear or reduce in intensity. Getting to the point where your body is following a natural rhythm of sleep and being awake requires effort and planning.
Some home remedies include a warm bath before bed to relax you physically and loosen your muscles and joints. Additionally, you should keep your phone away whenever you get into bed, creating a separation between being on your phone and being in bed. This can train your body to accept that when you’re in bed, sleep is the goal. You can use your phone to play soft, calming music in case it helps, but set the music and leave the phone! Avoid watching any video or movie that has violent or disturbing content especially before your sleep-time.
Keep your bedroom clean, ventilated and organised, for a peaceful and relaxing environment that promotes quality sleep. Relaxation techniques and meditation can be of great help too. The temperature in your room also plays an important role in allowing you to fall asleep quickly, when your body is uncomfortable it will be really hard to fall asleep. Figure out what the best temperature for you is and do your best to keep your room within that range.
Lastly, you may want to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist, since you may have issues that require expert treatment. You may be prescribed sleeping medication, apart from any treatment for the underlying causes of your sleep loss.
From the effects sleep loss has on our body and mind, it’s clear to see that sleep is an essential and vital body function. When you lay in bed social media may be engaging or your brain may be busy reliving the busy day you’ve just been through- remember that you won’t be able to function fully the next day without a good night’s rest. If your problems persist for over a week, you should definitely seek professional help, whether a counsellor, a psychiatrist or a sleep specialist.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
It’s been 72 years since India wrested freedom from the Brits. The right to govern the country was transferred to the Indian Constituent Assembly on 15th August 1947 and set India on the path to becoming a sovereign republic.
Independence Day celebrates political liberation. But there’s more to freedom than just that. Because liberty comes in many shapes and forms. While we may elect our own leaders to govern our country, many other freedoms still elude us to this day. One such freedom is the dependence on unhealthy habits that plague our health.
These habits are easy to start but very difficult to step away from. In fact, these habits become an extension of most people without them realizing it. In the long term, they can cause various debilitating illnesses if you don’t take steps to dissociate from them.
Many of us spend hours listening to music with our earphones plugged in while working, travelling, or even sleeping. We hardly realize that being exposed to loud music and noise for prolonged hours makes us vulnerable to hearing loss. You might not notice anything serious right away, but a couple of years down the line will surely have you wishing you had not turned up the volume too loud.
There could be many reasons why you aren’t sleeping as much as you need to. You may have to work overtime or bring work home. Or maybe simply worrying over how to increase your income is keeping you up at night.
If you don’t get enough sleep, a lot of things can go wrong with your body. Your immunity will weaken and that will start a domino effect. You will become vulnerable to illnesses. Your attention span will dwindle, and gradually your cognitive abilities too will be affected. Your brain will not be able to keep up with what’s required of it. Sleep deprivation may even increase your risk of getting diabetes and hypertension.
Excess screen time is worrying trend nowadays. Screen time overloads the sensory system, fractures attention, and depletes mental reserves. Experts say that what’s often behind explosive and aggressive behavior is poor focus. When attention suffers, so does the ability to process one’s internal and external environment, so little demands become big ones.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Firstly, it’s adding to your screen time if you are already spending 8-9 hours in front of a computer at work. Your screens emit blue light that can damage your eyes.
Secondly, you aren’t doing anything useful with the time you have on your hands after you’re done with your work. Science has established that fun activities, be it cooking, reading, learning something new can prevent the degeneration of brain cells. Most importantly, activities can alleviate stress and anxiety.
You could utilize the time you spend on your phone by working out. Exercise keeps both your mind and body healthy.
Thirdly, your screen addiction is slowly but surely causing a divide between you and your loved ones. Spending time with friends and family is instrumental to a healthy life because it can help you to overcome anxiety and uplift your mood.
A bad habit that is undermined but can prove to be lethal. People in urban areas usually live sedentary lives. We sit on chairs for hours on end, especially those doing 9-5 jobs. Sitting for too long can cause your leg muscles to cramp and lose tone.
Moreover, sitting for long hours at a stretch can disrupt blood circulation in your legs, this can cause Varicose veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Yet another habit that is shackling you is your thoughtless craving and dependence on fast foods. They are everywhere. They are yummy and comparatively cheap- a combination that makes them irresistible. What’s worse is that many people prefer ready to cook packaged meals, which are essentially poison on a plate. You need to avoid junk food because it is bad for your heart, blood pressure, blood sugar and metabolism.
In addition, you should also quit smoking and stop drinking alcohol, two habits that have severe consequences on your health.
You can easily free yourself from these habits with a bit of awareness and strength of will. So this Independence day, take a pledge to avoid these habits and live a healthy life.
Also Read: Best Fast Food For Weight Watchers: Making Healthy Choices on the Go
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Working in shifts involves following a schedule that differs from the traditional Monday to Friday, 9-5 workdays. It’s when workdays are divided into shifts covering the entire 24 hours with employees working in the evening, overnight or early morning shifts. All living beings including plants and animals have a natural, internal physiological process called the circadian rhythm that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
Shift schedules, especially in individuals working night shifts or rotational shifts, tend to go against this internal body clock or the Circadian rhythm resulting in what can be termed as the ”Shift Work Disorder Syndrome” which predisposes them to a higher risk of sleep disturbances including trouble in falling asleep, staying asleep and sleeping when desired. Such individuals often become Night owls and get less than 6 hours of sleep on their working days. They are continually sleep deprived and over time turn into insomniacs. They are more likely to be easily awakened by noises and tend to have very light sleep. Not only this, but disruption of the Circadian rhythm can also affect a person’s health, exposing him/her to hormonal imbalances and Metabolic Syndrome disorders like obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that can affect people who work nontraditional hours. It causes issues with falling asleep, staying asleep and sleepiness at unwanted times. It’s treatable with lifestyle changes, light therapy and/or medication.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
We know for a fact that shift work causes sleep problems, along with affecting your performance and overall wellbeing. However, there are a few tips you can use to improve your sleep and decrease the negative effects of shift work.
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
