Waking up in the middle of the night feeling like your chest is on fire is not anyone’s idea of restful sleep. Yet, for many individuals, nighttime acid reflux makes this unsettling scenario a frequent reality. Consistently disrupting your sleep and leading to other health implications. But what causes this uncomfortable condition, and more importantly, how can you prevent it? By understanding the triggers and implementing new lifestyle changes, it’s possible to reduce the frequency of acid reflux episodes and improve the quality of your sleep.
At its core, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid reverses course, moving backward into the esophagus and, occasionally, making its unwelcome way to the throat. This backflow not only irritates and inflames the delicate tissues of the esophagus, but it also leads to the sensations commonly known as indigestion and heartburn. Almost everyone will experience acid reflux at some point, which usually happens after a particularly heavy or rich meal. Other common contributors include pregnancy, hernias, and consuming certain types of food and drink too close to bedtime. This is because lying down after eating doesn’t afford the natural assistance of gravity, which during the day helps keep the contents of our stomach moving in the right direction. At night, this lack of assistance allows acid to pool, especially after late dinners or snacks.
Your stomach contents are supposed to travel only one way, which is down. So how do you keep it that way? For immediate relief, over-the-counter medications can neutralize stomach acid and give you the much-needed sleep you deserve. However, these are only temporary measures and not long-term solutions. Long-lasting relief from acid reflux requires lifestyle adjustments. You may want to avoid certain foods and beverages that may trigger your acid reflux, like alcohol, caffeinated drinks, spicy foods, as well as citrus fruits and fried foods. Stress has been associated with increasing acid reflux. So, it is important to utilize some stress reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation to help manage your stress.
While nighttime acid reflux can be an unwelcome guest, by taking proactive steps to understand its causes and modifying lifestyle factors, you can ensure it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s also worth noting that while lifestyle modifications can significantly mitigate acid reflux, persistent symptoms may require consultation with a healthcare professional to rule out underlying conditions or to explore prescription options.
For more information on why you are getting acid reflux at night and what to do, click here.
Article written by William Graves.