If you have been suffering from acid indigestion for a while, then you may already know that your symptoms can worsen during the night. Because of that, you can have problems falling asleep, and you can wake up a few times in the middle of the night.
Honestly, in today’s busy and hectic world, sleeping becomes a luxury for many people, and having the right sleeping position is equally important to enjoy good sleep. The way you sleep can help you get rid of acid reflux symptoms, sleep peacefully, and wake up not feeling tired.
Sleep is essential to our physical and mental health, and that is why we would like to point out the importance of a sleeping position if you are dealing with acid indigestion. So, don’t forget that sleeping position is an important factor in your overall well-being, and stay with us until the end of today’s text to find out some useful pieces of advice.
Why You May Have Problems to Fall Asleep?
Acid reflux happens when acid leaves your stomach and finds its way into your esophagus. Because of that, you can experience heartburn, a painful burning sensation in your chest area. Some people have heartburn from time to time, while others may experience it more frequently, and that can affect their everyday life.
When we lie down, it is easier for acid to find a way from the stomach and travels to the throat. That is why all the symptoms may get worse in the nighttime, which can eventually lead to many sleepless nights. That is why it is crucial to find ways that can help you fight acid reflux even when you sleep. Almost 60% of people suffering from GERD say that it affects their sleep, and they are dealing with constant nighttime interruptions.
What Side Should You Sleep On?
It has been debated for a very long time which sleeping position is advisable for people suffering from acid reflux and GERD. But now, we know that doctors recommend that sleeping on the left side is a way to go. That is how you will ease your symptoms during the night. But why you should actually sleep in this position?
The explanation is quite simple. When you lay on the left side, the distance between the stomach and esophagus is higher and that is why the acid will stay away from it. Also, when you sleep on the right side, the muscle called the esophageal sphincter, whose role is to separate the stomach and esophagus, can get weakened, it won’t function properly, and it won’t keep the acid away from the esophagus. And once the acid is already there, it will start causing unpleasant symptoms.
Therefore, if possible, try sleeping on your left side, and you will see how helpful this simple step it can be. Even if this is not your usual sleeping position, we are sure you will not have a lot of trouble getting used to it. Especially when you see that it can do wonders.
Bear in mind that sleeping on your stomach is also not recommended. That will put a lot of pressure on your back, so you may start feeling discomfort in that area. Also, if you suffer from acid reflux, this position will not do you any good, since the acid will one more time find its way to start causing some symptoms, which can quite often be very painful.
Sleep At an Inclined Bed
We have already mentioned that during the night, acid travels to your esophagus very easily, but what if we tell you that there is an easy way to stop that? And it is called gravity. The key is to make gravity work in your favor, and thanks to bed raisers, that has never been easier. There are a few ways to do that, using an upright pillow for the bed or various pillow wedges. But without any doubt, the one you will benefit the most from is under mattress bed wedge, designed to help you treat your acid indigestion symptoms non-invasively.
An upright pillow for bed can help you raise only your head, but that can make sleeping even more uncomfortable. Your back and shoulders may be in pain, and due to their smaller size, this pillow can easily fall on the floor at any moment during the night.
That is why it is important to find a product that can provide the natural incline for your entire body, and Reflux Guard under mattress bed wedges can do just that. This is how the acid wouldn’t be able to go up, and it will remain in the stomach where it belongs.
Under mattress bed wedges are the best form of bed raisers, and once you install them properly, under your matters, of course, you can forget that they are there. This is a long-lasting product that requires minimum maintenance, which is always a huge benefit. That is how you won’t have to change wedges frequently, like wedge pillows, for example, and in a long run, that will save you a lot of money.
Since Reflux Guard wedges will cover the entire surface of your bed, you can sleep in any position you like. Even sleeping on the back or with the help of under mattress bed wedges can be good, especially if that is when you feel the most comfortable.
Alter Your Daily Habits
Of course, in order to have a good sleep, it is important to have healthy habits during the day as well. This will for sure affect the way you spend your night, so try to make small changes any time you can. For example, if you suffer from acid reflux, try not to eat late at night, especially before you go to bed. Also, if that is possible, try having a few smaller meals during the day, instead of three big ones. That will reduce the chances of reflux, and very quickly you will start noticing some big changes.
Important note:
This information is provided for informational purposes only. For diagnosis and treatment of your specific condition, always consult your doctor. Read the full disclaimer here.
