which side should i sleep on for acid reflux

#Which side should i sleep on for acid reflux how to

Even if dinner is many hours before bedtime, problem foods can trigger or aggravate acid reflux for long hours and extend into sleeping time.

Do not eat spicy foods or any other trigger foods for dinner.

However, even non-alcoholic drinks like cocoa or hot chocolate may also contribute to sleep heartburn and should be avoided if it poses a problem.

Do not consume alcohol prior to bedtime due to its effects of weakening the lower esophageal sphincter.

Sometimes elevating the head of the bed may also be beneficial if a wedge cannot be sourced. Using an extra pillow can help but may strain the neck. Use a specially-designed wedge to slightly elevate the upper torso.Waking up to snack should be avoided at all costs. Opt for water rather than tea or coffee before going to bed. A gap of at least 3 hours between the last meal and bedtime is ideal. In some cases, medication like antacids or acid-suppressing drugs like proton pump inhibitors are necessary to minimize acid reflux and heartburn while asleep. This will not always be effective to avoid sleep heartburn altogether but it can be helpful. There are a few simple ways to prevent sleep-related heartburn. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to sleep upright and maintain about 35 to 40 degrees as you sleep.

#Which side should i sleep on for acid reflux how to

Why and How to Sleep Upright when you have GERD?Įxtra Tips to Enjoying Sleep while suffering from GERD How Does GERD Contribute to Sleeplessness? To ease the discomfort of this digestive disorder, you should consider sleeping upright. Sleeplessness has serious health effects and can even make your condition worse. For most patients, they end up tossing up and down on the bed but still end up not sleeping well.

One of the real challenges of GERD is sleeplessness as this condition is worse at night.

According to a recent report by the The Washington Post a staggering 15 million Americans are in need of raising the head of their bed due to suffering from heartburn daily. To some, it is an occurrence that they have to live with as this happens regularly. It can be aggravated by obesity, pregnancy or eating huge amounts of food or spiced food. However, when a person has GERD, the LES muscles open and close irregularly causing food to come up to the mouth causing acid reflux or heartburn. This keeps the food contents from coming back to the mouth or throat. They open when swallowing something and close after that. In a normal occurrence, the LES muscles between the esophagus and the stomach are taut. GERD is a disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter commonly known as LES.