How to Manage or Relieve Acid Reflux at Night: A Guide
Are your nighttime routines being bothered by acid reflux? Don’t let your peace be disrupted by discomfort and pain from acid reflux. By changing your morning routine at night, you can be free from problems and wake up more refreshed and energized.
Learn more about acid reflux and what you can do instead to prevent it from occurring.
Why Do People Get Acid Reflux at Night?
1. Eating Meals Late at Night
Most people know that eating late at night has a negative effect on their blood sugar and can often cause them to put on weight. It is not uncommon for people to sit in front of the television, relax, and indulge in comfort food before getting ready for bed.
The problem with this is that the acid from your stomach must be pumped into your esophagus sometime at night. This acid travels through the esophagus and can cause a great deal of discomfort for you.
2. Eating Fried or Fatty Food
Some people choose to eat some fried or fatty food before going to bed. This can cause discomfort associated with acid reflux because of the high-fat content in the food.
Additionally, if you eat fried or fatty food before bed and your sleep schedule is disrupted by something, you might wake up several times to go to the bathroom. These trips to the toilet can also cause you to wake up and feel the discomfort of acid reflux.
3. Smoking
Smoking tobacco can cause acid reflux. Nicotine is a stimulant, so you have a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. This causes the stomach to digest quicker and is more likely to cause the acid to rise into the esophagus.
4. Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can also make you more likely to suffer from acid reflux. Drinking alcohol is a depressant, so it slows down your digestive processes, giving the acid time to rise and cause discomfort.
How Can You Manage or Relieve Acid Reflux at Night?
1. Eat Three Hours before You Plan to Lie Down
Don’t eat right before you plan on going to bed. If you eat three hours to half an hour before you plan on being in bed, you will give your food enough time to digest and allow the acid to leave your stomach before you go to bed.
2. Eat a Fiber-Rich Diet
Many people don’t realize that a fiber-rich diet can help to keep acid reflux at bay. The fiber in many foods will help push the food through your system faster, allowing your stomach acid to digest faster and lowering the likelihood of it entering your esophagus.
3. Cut Down on Salty, Spicy, and Fatty Foods
Some people find that cutting down on these types of foods can make a big difference to the symptoms that they have while they are trying to sleep. If you notice that certain foods bother you more than others, consider avoiding them in the evening when your acid reflux is the most likely to bother you.
4. Avoid Drinking Alcoholic, Caffeinated, or Carbonated Beverages
Coffee and alcohol are obvious choices to avoid. But some people find that cold food, sugary foods, and carbonated beverages can cause their reflux symptoms to be more severe. If you notice that certain foods or drinks cause discomfort while trying to sleep, it is best to avoid them.
Final Thoughts
By keeping your nighttime routine to a minimum and not causing any additional discomfort to your stomach, you can decrease the amount of acid reflux you experience at night. Follow these tips to have the best sleep possible.
Learn more about heartburn, how it affects your body, and how you can treat it at Reflux Away. We are your ultimate heartburn resource, and we are here to help you manage and address the symptoms. Explore our other guides, such as using baking soda for acid reflux, and learn more.