It’s bedtime but you cannot get to dreamland because of heartburn. If this seems to be a nightly scenario because your acid reflux tends to worsen at nighttime, then this article is written especially for you. Read on to know some of the things that you may do in order to keep heartburn from striking when you’re already in bed.
According to gastroenterologists, which are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating all sorts of problems that concern the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, there are 3 reasons why a bout of heartburn is very much likely at night:
The concentration of stomach acid is simply higher at nighttime
When lying down, it can be very easy for the contents of the stomach to leak into the esophagus
Because you swallow less when sleeping, there’s not enough saliva to dilute stomach acid
Indeed, it can be very challenging to get a good night’s sleep if you have acid reflux because it’s very much likely for heartburn to strike the moment you lie down in your bed to catch some much-needed Z’s.
So what should you do in order to keep heartburn at bay when lying down? Here are some effective tips:
Elevate the Head of Your Bed by a Few Inches
Grab some bricks or very thick books and place them under the legs of the head of your bed. The goal is to take the head part of your bed 5 to 7 inches off the floor to help prevent your stomach acid from climbing up the esophagus.
Use a Wedge Pillow Designed for Acid Reflux Sufferers
It’s a wonderful idea for you to get your hands on a wedge pillow — it has a nifty design that keeps the upper part of your body slightly elevated while you are lying in bed, thus keeping the stomach acid from climbing up your esophagus. The use of a wedge pillow saves you from the need to elevate the head of your bed.
Wear Nighttime Garments That are Loose-Fitting
Stay away from tight-fitting clothes when hitting the hay, in particular those that put unnecessary pressure on your tummy. What you need to do is opt for loose-fitting ones. Not only will this keep heartburn from showing up, but also enable you to enjoy the most comfortable sleep for the next 7 to 9 hours.
Turn Your Back From Trigger Foods at Dinner
If you don’t want to be bugged by heartburn when in bed, then your dinner should not have foods and beverages that can trigger your acid reflux. Also, make sure that you keep in mind the next tip.
Refrain From Lying Down Immediately After Eating
Gastroenterologists say that it’s a terrible, terrible idea for you to hop into bed right after having your dinner — this will only cause acid reflux to happen, thus leaving you with a bad case of heartburn. To be on the safe side, consider having your dinner 2 to 3 hours before you get some shuteye.
Do Your Best to Drop Unwanted Pounds
Are you overweight or obese? Then make sure that you get rid of those excess pounds. When you are in bed, just imagine how much pressure those excess fatty tissues in your midsection are placing on your stomach.
It’s a good idea for you to let your doctor know about your nightly issue with heartburn in order to have the root cause, which is acid reflux, treated effectively. Besides, leaving acid reflux unmanaged can lead to a much worse form of it, which is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Kindly share this article on social media — you don’t know how many of your family members and friends who suffer from heartburn at bedtime can benefit tremendously from the tips mentioned above.
