Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach contents and acid flow into the lower esophagus - tubes from the throat to the stomach. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux, but other symptoms can also occur in this condition, including dry cough, chest pain, and recurrent sore throat. Sustained fatigue associated with acid reflux may be an indication of complications or side effects of the drug. These symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor.
Acid reflux may continue to be a symptom of sleep disruption. (Source: Ryan McVay / Photodisc / Getty Images) Esophageal damage
Sustained or severe acid reflux can damage your life or damage the esophagus, called Gastroesophageal reflux isease, or GERD. According to a review of the World Journal of Gastroenterology in May 2011, erosive esophagitis - lower esophageal inflammation and ulcers - is one of the most common complications of GERD. Chronic bleeding from esophageal ulcers can lead to anemia, which usually leads to persistent fatigue. Anemia is considered a warning sign for complex GERD.
Side effects of drugs
People with acid reflux often take medication to control their symptoms. Many people use over-the-counter drugs - histamine blockers or proton pump inhibitors - without consulting their healthcare provider. Histamine blockers such as tammetine (Zagac), ritudidine (Pepcid) and nizatidine (Axid) sometimes cause fatigue.
Proton pump inhibitors, including prisoxazole and omeprazole (Zegerid, Prilosec), may cause some users to feel tired. These drugs also reduce the production of stomach acid, making your body unable to effectively absorb iron and vitamin B-12 from food. Nutritional deficiencies associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors may ultimately lead to anemia and fatigue. If you are taking medication to treat symptoms of acid reflux, consult a doctor to make sure you have no side effects.
Sleep disruption
Continued daytime fatigue sometimes results from insufficient sleep at night. For people with acid reflux, cough due to heartburn pain or reflux, nightWake up repeatedly may result in poor sleep. Acid reflux drugs can sometimes cause insomnia.
Con Lateral
Sustained fatigue may be related to acid reflux through various mechanisms. However, fatigue can also be caused by many conditions unrelated to gastric acid reflux, such as depression, heart disease, thyroid disease, liver or kidney failure, cancer or autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. If you are constantly tired - whether you have acid reflux or not - please consult your doctor for a thorough examination and medical evaluation.
