Acid Reflux and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Relationship

Pathophysiology and Mechanisms

• Acid exposure causes inflammation in the upper airway, leading to edema and inflammatory responses that can narrow the pharyngeal lumen, according to the British Journal of Pharmacology 1, 2

Clinical Associations and Risk Factors

• The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology identifies gastroesophageal reflux disease as a shared risk factor for both asthma and OSA 3

Treatment Effects and Recommendations

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against prescribing acid suppression therapy for brief resolved unexplained events, noting no proven efficacy 4
• The British Journal of Pharmacology suggests that only B-grade studies have investigated proton pump inhibitors for OSA, indicating weak evidence 1, 2
• The American Academy of Pediatrics advises to use nonpharmacologic measures for reflux management, such as avoiding overfeeding, maintaining upright positioning after meals, avoiding secondhand smoke, and elevating the head of the bed 4