Nighttime Heartburn
If you suffer from heartburn, you’re not alone. Twenty-five million people have heartburn every single day, and almost half of them experience the pain of nighttime heartburn. If you experience heartburn more than occasionally, such as after a large meal or big party, you may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Chronic heartburn sufferers experience nighttime heartburn frequently and it can lead to serious medical problems.
When you lay down at night, two major factors can aggravate heartburn: gravity and a lack of saliva. Gravity plays a large role in keeping your stomach acid in your stomach, but when prone, the acids can pool near your esophagus, causing a higher risk of reflux. In addition, as you swallow, your saliva, which contains an acid-neutralizing bicarbonate, keeps the acid where it belongs; however, when you sleep, your swallowing impulse is automatically suppressed. As a result, the acid can sit in one place for much longer, causing more severe esophageal damage.
If you have nighttime heartburn, there are treatments that can help. First, change your lifestyle—stop smoking, cut out alcohol and caffeine, and avoid foods that trigger heartburn such as spicy foods, mint, citrus, chocolate, or fatty foods. Don’t eat for at least three hours before bed, eat smaller meals, and try elevating the head of your bed by 4 to 6 inches.
You can also take over-the-counter antacids and H2 receptor antagonists. In more severe cases, your doctor can prescribe a proton pump inhibitor, which will significantly reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach. If your symptoms continue, your doctor may even discuss surgical options with you.