|  |  | November 23, 2009  Is acid reflux keeping you up at night? If so, you are not alone. 75% of people with heartburn have it at night when it is the most damaging to the esophagus. Acid reflux, (stomach contents move back up into the esophagus) is a symptom of the common condition GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, experienced by over 40% of Americans.
Unfortunately, taking sleep aids to sleep through the pain may be a factor in developing esophageal diseases including cancer.
In reference to the widely used sleep aid hypnotic, Ambien (zolpidem), Dr. Anthony J. DiMarino Jr., MD, Thomas Jefferson University cautions, "The drug had the effect of enabling subjects to 'sleep through' reflux events, thereby increasing nocturnal acid exposure. This suggests that hypnotic use by GERD patients could lead to increased risk for complicated disease. In fact, nocturnal reflux is the leading cause of Barrett's esophagus, a recognized cause of esophageal cancer."
Dr. DiMarino led a double blind, placebo-controlled study of 16 GERD patients and 8 controls (people without the condition).
Read More |  |
|  |
 | | | |  |
| To unsubscribe or change subscriber options click here . |
|
2600 Technology Drive Suite #100
Plano, TX 75074
United States
No comments:
Post a Comment