New Survey Reveals: Reflux Symptoms Are Stealing Your Sleep
1,591 people responded to a survey on how reflux symptoms affect sleep. Most respondents reported suffering from more than one symptom, and in total, these symptoms steal over two hours of sleep on average per night.
The majority experience sleep problems
How do reflux-related symptoms impact sleep? To gain a deeper understanding, we asked those who had taken our self-test to answer a few follow-up questions. Over 1,500 people participated, and the results clearly show how common it is for these symptoms to disrupt night-time rest.
Of the 1,591 respondents, as many as 69% stated that their reflux symptoms sometimes make it difficult to sleep. An additional 15% said they always struggle to sleep because of their symptoms. Only 16% reported that their symptoms never affect their sleep.
Most common symptoms disturbing sleep
Several symptoms were linked to sleep difficulties, with the most common being:
- Heartburn or acid reflux: 58%
- Dry cough: 37%
- A lump in the throat: 25%
- Thick or bubbly saliva: 23%
- Stomach pain: 18%
- Waking up choking or gasping: 17%
- Chest pain: 17%
Moniq was able to sleep better after treatment for heartburn
Moniq would wake up with heartburn several times a night, usually ending with a trip to the bathroom. But after three months of using IQoro, she was able to sleep better again. Two years of problems with sleeping were finally over.
The difference is incredible. Now I sleep all night without waking up once from the heartburn. Read more
When is it worst during the night?
Symptoms affect sleep in different ways. More than half of the respondents said they wake up due to their symptoms. Many described how this typically happens between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. – a time when the body should normally enter a deeper phase of sleep.
- 54% wake up at night due to their symptoms.
- 30% experience symptoms when trying to fall asleep.
- 13% say their symptoms are constant.
What do people do to fall back asleep?
To cope with their symptoms and still manage to sleep, survey participants try various strategies:
- 36% take medication.
- 25% sleep in a sitting or reclining position.
- 19% eat or drink something to relieve the symptoms.
- 14% simply wait for the symptoms to pass.
Changes over time
When asked how their sleep problems have changed over time, respondents answered:
- 52% said the symptoms come and go.
- 20% said they have become worse.
- 16% said they have remained unchanged.
- 11% said they have improved.
How severe are the sleep problems?
When we asked participants to estimate how much sleep they lose each night, the severity of the issue became clear:
A total of 63% stated that they lose two or more hours of sleep per night.
Over half – 57 percent – reported losing between two and four hours of sleep per night. A few respondents (17 people) said they lose at least seven hours every night. Meanwhile, 37 percent estimated that they are disturbed by symptoms for an hour or less per night on average.
I woke up during the night with panic attacks and high blood pressure
Jo Burnett often woke up having panic attacks. She had high blood pressure and a feeling of a lump in her throat made it difficult to eat. The symptoms were due to a hiatal hernia affecting her swallowing muscles. But by using IQoro, she quickly improved.
In the end, I had to order an IQoro myself. It was the best decision I have ever made. Read more
In your own words: When hope returns
Several participants who had already started their treatment with IQoro shared their reflections in open-ended responses. Here are a few examples:
Before IQoro I had pretty much all those symptoms and rarely slept well. Now with IQoro, symptoms are rare and only appear after I’ve overeaten.
My sleep difficulties have improved hugely already through using my iqoro and i’m only 3 months in!
Before starting IQoro, I constantly had severe chest pain and a burning sensation in my oesophagus. That disappeared quickly with IQoro.
All symptoms have greatly improved since using Iqoro and probably the best result is feeling more in control at last.
It’s clear that many people sleep better once they start treating their weakened muscles with IQoro.
Conclusion: You’re not alone – and there is help available
Waking up in the middle of the night from heartburn, coughing or a choking sensation is a reality for many. But it’s also something you can change.
Our survey clearly shows how symptoms are linked to sleep issues – and that many find their way back to better nights when addressing the root cause of the problem.