7 Ways To Prevention Of Nighttime Acid Reflux Before Going To Sleep

Nearly eight in ten heartburn sufferers experience symptoms and severe pain at night. So it is very important to take preventative measures before going to sleep. There are seven suggestions for preventing acid reflux at night are as follows :

1. Eat At Least 2-3 Hours Before Lying

This way your stomach won't still be working on that big meal when you go to bed. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that keeps food in the stomach. If foods reflux up through the LES, heartburn is the result. Avoid foods that known to lead to heartburn at dinner, such as spicy foods, coffee, citrus fruit and juices.

Acid Reflux Disease

2. Stop Smoking, Avoid Alcohol

Nicotine can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to stomach contents entering the esophagus, with heartburn as a result. Alcohol also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.

3. After meals, take a walk or, at the very least, remain upright.


4. Sleep With Your Head And Shoulder On An Incline

Lying flat presses the stomach's contents against the LES. But if the head is higher than the stomach, gravity helps reduce this pressure, and keeps stomach contents where they belong in the stomach. Don't use piles of pillows to achieve the same goal. You will only put your head at an angle that can increase pressure on your stomach and make your heartburn worse. You can do this by placing six-inch blocks under the bed posts at the head of the bed.

5. Lying On The Left Side

When going to bed, try lying on the left side rather than on the right. The stomach is located higher than the esophagus when a person sleeps on the right side, which can put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter , increasing the risk for fluid back-up.

6. Take An Antacid When Heartburn Hits

Antacids will work very quickly on heartburn you may be experiencing before you go to bed. It also can be used for those heartburn episodes that wake you up during the night if the heartburn comes back. An H2 blocker will work for a longer period of time, usually up to 12 hours. Another option is to combine the two. You should discuss this with your physician to determine what is the best treatment for you.

7. What To Do If The Nighttime Heartburn Continues

If you continue to experience frequent heartburn symptoms at night, see your health care provider. You will be able to discuss with your physician the different treatment options.