Sleeping With Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux is a condition in which the stomach acids rise up into the esophagus due to a faulty lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Some people experience the following symptoms bloating, burping, bloody or black stools, vomiting blood, hiccups, nausea, weight loss, wheezing, dry cough, hoariness or a chronic sore throat. Some people even experience dysphagia, which is a narrowing of the esophagus; this creates a sensation of food being stuck in the throat.

A lot of people who suffer from acid reflux complain that they have trouble sleeping and they cannot get a good night’s rest. This is because of the symptoms they feel resulting from the acid reflux. Not getting a good night’s sleep can lead to other health issues and loss productivity.

Here are some tips to help you deal with your acid reflux at night and hopefully you will get a good night’s rest!

1.   Change your diet, some foods and beverages are known to trigger acid reflux. These foods and beverages include:

·    Orange Juice

·    Peppermint

·    Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges

·    Spicy, fried foods and foods with a lot of fat

·    Vinegar

·    Alcohol

·    Garlic

·    Onions

·    Caffeine and carbonated beverages

·    Tomatoes and tomato products like ketchup

2.   Eat smaller meals frequently throughout the day; eating 5-6 small meals instead of 3 big meals can help control acid reflux.

3.   Wear loose fitting pajamas to bed, if you wear clothes that fit tight around your abdomen it can make your acid reflux symptoms worse.

4.   Lay on your left side, this can also help and control the acid reflux symptoms as it will align your body in a way as to not allow the acid to come back up from your stomach to your esophagus.

5.   Do not eat within 3-4 hours before you go to bed.

6.   Elevate your head to prevent the acids in your stomach from coming back up. You can use products especially made for acid reflux such as the Contour Folding WedgeCushion or the Mattress Genie adjustable bed wedge. These products can help to ease the symptoms of acid reflux, so you can get a good night’s sleep.

7.   Take medication there are over the counter medications available as well as prescription medications that you can take to help with acid reflux. Your doctor can help you decide what is right for you.

People experience acid reflux at night because they are lying down. When a person is lying down the stomach contents can easily come back up to the esophagus, if the lower esophageal sphincter is not functioning properly. If you are in the upright position your stomach contents will easily settle to the bottom of the stomach, it’s as simple as gravity. Acid reflux is curable condition when taken seriously and treated properly. If you suspect that you may have acid reflux, talk with your health care provider, he or she can perform certain tests to see if you indeed have it. They can also refer you to a specialist such as a gastroenterologist, who can also perform certain tests and he or she can help you come up with a treatment plan that is right for you. There is no need to suffer anymore, get treated as soon as possible.