Can a Wedge Help Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is painful. It's uncomfortable, it makes it difficult to sleep. And at its absolute worst, no matter what you eat or when you eat it, you can feel the repercussions. 

How you sleep, however, can work to combat these same side effects each and every night; one of the best ways – you guessed it – is by sleeping on a wedge. Whether it's a specialized pillow , or pillows that are propped up and made into their own makeshift wedge, sleeping on an incline allows you to use gravity in your favor. 

Acid reflux is caused by stomach contents (along with acid) that creeps back into the esophagus. This is most common when eating heavy or spicy foods, as they require more time and effort from the stomach to break down and digest. This slightly more vigorous process can mean acid that's felt higher into the chest and resulting in pain. 

One of the best natural methods of combatting the acid reflux process is with gravity. Giving acid a steeper slope to climb before it's felt up into the chest will help naturally keep it down in the stomach. 

A wedge also provides a comfortable sleeping surface so you can rest soundly while combatting the pains of acid reflux. (In contrast to home remedies that require uncomfortable positions or staying completely upright.) This can allow for ample amounts of sleep that are uninterrupted by pain, and all while receiving quality support. 

Can a wedge help with acid reflux? Absolutely, and with an incredibly easy fix. If you're a regular sufferer (or even an occasional sufferer), consider this simple and effective healing method. Talk to your doctor to learn more, or ask a Contour Living representative about your wedge pillow options today. 

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Eat Earlier to Avoid Acid Reflux

The effects of acid reflux can be caused by any number of issues. Drinking alcohol can trigger its wrath, sleeping on a pillow that is too flat can increase its levels of pain, while genetics also play a serious role as to how severe one’s acid reflux pains can become.

But perhaps nothing triggers acid reflux as severely as to what and when we eat. Spicy foods, especially when consumed at a late hour, can cause you to toss and turn all night. Even by someone who doesn’t normally suffer from the disease. Why? As foods are digesting, gravity helps hold all our stomach functions in place. When laying down, however, those same foods (and stomach acid) is allowed to creep back up into the esophagus. This is not only uncomfortable, but painful. 

For some, these effects are even worsened by “flaps” that don’t properly hold one’s digesting food in place. Increasing the already ongoing symptoms.

A proven cure, however, comes from eating an earlier meal. By allowing the body time to digest, stomach acid can’t make its way back up through the esophagus. Choosing milder foods can also lessen the effects, but even milder meals eaten later at night can trigger acid reflux pains. To eliminate side effects altogether, plan dinner time an hour or two earlier each night. Or, if your schedule doesn’t allow, follow up with a glass of milk or a bowl of yogurt to help acidic foods settle. Sleeping on an incline, especially with the help of a specialized pillow, can also create an added level of comfort. (By increasing the angle at which acid must rise, the chances that it makes its way out of the stomach are even further reduced.)

To learn more about acid reflux or how a pillow can help, head to Contour Living today. 

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5 Habits That Will Increase Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux is an issue that affects thousands of Americans. Whether conditional or an ongoing medical concern, patients are dealing with this uncomfortable scenario most nights of the week. However, there are also certain behaviors that work to increase (or decrease) acid reflux’s symptoms. To make the most out of your acid reflux treatment, remember to avoid the following.

5. Alcohol Before Bed

Drinking too much before bed, or too close before bedtime, can greatly increase the effects of acid reflux. Because alcohol relaxes our muscles, drinking can create a scenario where one’s throat is far more susceptible to acid or other stomach side effects. Instead, try and curb your drinking habits, or consider drinking earlier in the night to avoid this painful outcome.

4. Spicy Foods

The spicier the meal, the greater risk one has at gaining acid reflux. Even when eating less or earlier in the evening. To avoid stomach and chest pain altogether, consider an antacid or opting for a milder meal. 

3. Flat Pillows

Because acid reflux essentially takes place with a lack of incline, sleeping on flat pillows can greatly increase its abilities. Sleep on a wedge or with additional pillows to keep acid at bay, or rather, where it belongs, deep within the stomach.

2. Overeating

Feeling full is generally uncomfortable. But when eating far too much (and too close to bedtime), that “too-full” feeling becomes even worse. Allow your food to settle \for better digestion and fewer nighttime pains. 

1. Ignoring the Signs

Generally, long-time acid reflux patients know when a severe bout of pain is about to arise. When these early warning signs take place, take medicine, drink a glass of milk, or just lay off the booze. Ignoring these signs will only work for a more painful bout of acid reflux later on. While, instead, precautionary measures can help reduce the condition for the long haul. 

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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.

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