Sleep Apnea Sufferers at Risk for GI Conditions

People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also tend to have gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions such as gastric reflux and hiatal hernia, which forms at the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus joins the stomach. Study authors suggest that patients who are being treated for OSA should also be referred to a gastroenterologist for a more comprehensive treatment approach.

Researchers studied 42 adult patients with proven OSA. Each patient underwent an upper GI endoscopy to evaluate his or her gastrointestinal health. Pathological GI conditions were found in more than 80 percent of patients suffering from OSA, the majority showing two or more findings. The most frequent observed pathology was hiatal hernia, followed by erosive esophagitis, histological esophagitis and erosive gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and biliary reflux.

Approximately 12 million Americans have sleep apnea, which is characterized by episodes of reduced or no airflow throughout the night. – AAO-HNSF