Treat GERD, Improve Sleep

Relieving gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can improve sleep quality. This conclusion was reached in the first major multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial focusing on GERD therapy and sleep disorders.

The study, reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology (September 2005), showed that effective acid-suppression therapy with 20 or 40 mg of a proton pump inhibitor, such as esomeprazole, worked on nighttime heartburn symptoms and GERD-related sleep disturbances.

"Sleep problems are extremely common in patients with GERD and are often unrecognized," said lead investigator David Johnson, MD. For patients with frequent and moderate-to-severe symptoms, GERD has a considerably negative impact on sleep.