Is there a link between GERD and fatigue?

Medications for GERD can besides have side personal effects that cause insomnia.

Results of a study published in 2013 suggest that there is a significant link between stress levels and inflammation caused by GERD. Stress and depression can besides lead to sleepless nights.

In this article, we explore the link between fatigue and GERD in depth. We besides describe treatment options and when to see a doctor.

Is fatigue a symptom of GERD?

Fatigue is different from feeling tired. A tired person who has not slept well may struggle the next day and want to do less than they normally would.

In contrast, fatigue can have a significant impact on daily life.

A person experiencing fatigue will feel that they do not have the energy to complete everyday tasks, and this feeling will continue over an extended period.

While a person can normally identify why they feel tired, fatigue is often a symptom of an underlying health condition that inevitably to be investigated. A doctor will need to make a diagnosing before the person can be treated.

GERD is one condition that can interfere with sleep patterns and cause fatigue. It occurs when stomach acid flows upward into the food pipe, which is called the oesophagus, rather than staying in the stomach and aiding digestion.

Symptoms of GERD include:

• pyrosis
• chest pain
• increased belching
• a sore throat
• a dry cough
• extreme tiredness

If a person has the symptoms above and believes that they are experiencing fatigue, they may have GERD and should make an appointment with a doctor.

Feeling for good exhausted and lacking the energy to complete simple tasks is a sign that thing is wrong.

Fatigue can be a symptom of various underlying conditions, and it is important to see a doctor, who can rule out unrelated issues.

Anyone experiencing fatigue should make a note of other symptoms.

This will help the doctor make a more quick and accurate diagnosing.

Other conditions that can cause fatigue include:

• a poor diet and a lack of exercise
• overexertion
• stress
• medications
• depression
• anemia
• autoimmune disorders
• sleep apnea
• drug or alcohol misuse
• liver or excretory organ failure
• heart illness
• thyroid illness
• multiple sclerosis
• myalgic cephalitis, or degenerative fatigue syndrome
• cancer

If GERD symptoms, so much as pyrosis and coughing, are interrupting a person's sleep, they should seek proposal from a medical professional. Treatments a can ease symptoms and help a person to get a better night's rest.

Treatment for GERD depends on how severe the condition is.

For some people, over-the-counter medications can relieve symptoms by neutralizing stomach acid or reducing the amount produced. These medications are available for purchase at pharmacies and online.

A person with severe GERD may require prescription medications.

These work the same way as over-the-counter medications, but they are stronger and help to heal damaged tissue.

The doctor will suggest removing best-known trigger foods and drinks from the diet. They will besides recommend simple life style changes, which may include:

• keeping the head elevated at night and wearing baggy clothing
• losing excess weight
• quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
• getting regular exercise
• refraining from feeding right before bedtime
• feeding only a light meal in the evening
• reducing caffein intake
• avoiding alcohol in the evening

Successfully managing pyrosis can help a person get to sleep expeditiously and sleep for more extended periods. This can result in fatigue bit by bit disappearing.

If GERD is not the cause of fatigue, the doctor will recommend other treatments, which may include medication and life style changes.

Outlook

People can manage symptoms of GERD and any associated fatigue, with a combination of medications and healthful life style choices.

If some other medical condition is causation fatigue, this will besides need to be diagnosed and treated.