Fatigue and sleepiness aren’t formal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but some people with the condition experience them. Symptoms like persistent cough and heartburn may result in feeling tired and sleepy, though.
Fatigue goes beyond feeling tired. It involves low energy and exhaustion that may interfere with your quality of life. Fatigue may result from physical and mental exertion or from having a chronic condition like GERD.
GERD occurs when stomach acid persistently moves up into the esophagus (food pipe). This backward flow is called reflux. The acid can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your throat and chest.
Although fatigue and sleepiness aren’t part of the diagnostic criteria for GERD, they often co-occur with the condition and may signal reflux.
Yes. GERD may lead to fatigue, weakness, and daytime sleepiness.
Having acid reflux or GERD may mean you have one or more of these symptoms:
- burning pain in your chest or upper stomach (heartburn)
- sore throat
- chronic cough
- belching
- back pain after eating
- sour stomach
- shortness of breath
- throat tension and tightness
These symptoms often worsen when you lie down, which means they may interfere with your sleep and rest time.
Persistent cough and belching, chest and throat pain, difficulty breathing, and indigestion can make it difficult for you to fall and stay asleep. Even if you fall asleep, symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, belching, and back pain may make it difficult for you to reach deep sleep.
Interrupted, delayed, and short sleep cycles affect your energy levels and may make you feel extremely tired. The more severe or longer the symptoms are, the more likely you are to experience fatigue with GERD.
Learn more about the symptoms of GERD.
Even if you have GERD, fatigue may have other causes. Consulting with a healthcare professional may be a good idea to rule out another underlying condition or to confirm GERD is the cause.
The doctor may ask you to describe your symptoms. It’s important to include all your acid reflux symptoms, even if you don’t think they may be related to sleep disturbances or feeling tired.
For the physical exam, the medical professional may recommend an endoscopy. An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that the doctor will introduce down your throat and through your esophagus. It has a tiny camera that can send back images to a monitor. Signs of stomach acid irritation or damage on the lining of the esophagus may confirm a GERD diagnosis.
A doctor may also be interested in your sleeping habits and what you do before going to bed. For example, they may ask you about your nighttime meals and snacks, and your bed set-up.
Information about your medical history, medications and supplements you take, and other conditions you have is also an important step toward determining if GERD is behind your fatigue.
Read more about tests for GERD.
To decrease the chance of sleep interruption due to GERD symptoms, consider:
- eating your last meal of the day at least 2 hours before going to bed
- walking for a few minutes after eating
- raising your bed so your chest and head are higher than the rest of your body
- if you take acid reflux medications, taking them before going to sleep
- building an optimal sleep hygiene
- avoiding spicy and fatty foods
Read more about how to improve your sleep if you have GERD.
Managing GERD symptoms may also improve your sleep and boost your energy levels. Typically, lifestyle changes are the first step to managing acid reflux. These may include:
- quitting tobacco use if needed
- limiting alcohol
- avoiding trigger foods
- managing your weight
- managing stress
Home remedies and natural strategies for GERD may help fatigue and energy levels, including:
If symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle changes and natural remedies, you may need medication.
Common GERD medications include:
If GERD is the cause of your fatigue, GERD symptom management may translate to better sleep and less fatigue.
Read more about GERD treatment options.
Fatigue isn’t a formal symptom of GERD, but it may be the result of acid reflux symptoms like heartburn, cough, belching, back pain, and shortness of breath.
If GERD is the cause of your fatigue, managing it with lifestyle adjustments and medications can help you improve your energy levels. Otherwise, a doctor may perform some tests to explore other possible causes.
