Heartburn and acid reflux problems occur for an estimated 100 million Americans. Through the years it has become increasingly widespread, and for people of all ages. If you are one of the people who have heartburn problems, then you also know that heartburn at nighttime is one of the most frequent times that it occurs.
Besides being the time of day when heartburn is most prevalent, nighttime heartburn can also be a more severe problem because it affects your ability to sleep, as it gets increasingly worse throughout the night. Why is this the case, and what can be done to prevent nighttime heartburn?
One characteristic of acid reflux and heartburn in general is that it happens most often when people are lying down, which of course happens at nighttime and while sleeping. The reason for this is related to gravity no longer helping keep acid from refluxing, and thus it is easier to reach the esophagus and cause the heartburn sensation. Once this starts it tends to continue and even get worse, because there will be constant contact with the acid and the reflux as it doesn’t move downward. This can lead to scarring of the esophagus, and turn acid reflux and heartburn into a serious health problem.
How To Prevent Nighttime Heartburn
Nighttime heartburn control starts with your dinner. Think of your normal habits. Dinner is your biggest meal, and likely your worst meal in terms of acid reflux trigger foods. You finish up with desert and coffee [more trigger foods], or you pass on that and have a beer instead. Do you know that beer is possibly the worst thing you can have if you have heartburn problems – beer has been shown to double the acid content in your stomach in as little as an hour. You finally push away from the table and do what? Right, you go lie down on the couch and watch television.
Well, you just broke every rule there is for acid reflux and heartburn in general [unless you also had caffeinated soda to drink for dinner], and to prevent nighttime heartburn in specific – you don’t want to over eat and drink and at dinner, and you certainly don’t want to go immediately lie down after doing so. Focus on dinner being your best acid reflux diet meal of the day, and try to wait a couple of hours before lying down after doing so.
Nighttime is the time when people drink the most. Just understand that alcohol is a problem for reflux and heartburn for multiple reasons. Besides increasing the acid content in your stomach, alcohol also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which is a ring of muscle that is intended to keep the acid in your stomach. So, if the LES relaxes, it open and let acid reflux back into your esophagus, which causes heartburn.
Drink water throughout the night; most people don’t drink enough of it. But if you have heartburn, water helps flush acid down from your esophagus. It also helps neutralize stomach acid. Both of these are big aids in reducing heartburn symptoms.
For controlling acid reflux while you are sleeping, you can elevate the head of your bed on some blocks, or you can get an acid reflux wedge pillow. What you don’t want to do is just raise your head by lying on a bunch of pillows. Besides being likely to give you a stiff neck when you wake up in the morning, it also isn’t going to be an effective solution. What you are trying to do is raise your torso at an angle to use gravity to keep the acid down, simply raising your head isn’t going to do this.
Work on your nighttime habits for eating, drinking, and when you lie down, and you will find that your nighttime heartburn problems will be reduced if not eliminated. This will lead to you getting a far better night’s sleep, and feel a lot better, as well as decreasing the risk of heartburn becoming a more serious health problem.
MedSlant Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow
The MedSlant Wedge Pillow, which was actually designed and patented by an acid reflux sufferer, is one of the highest recommended wedge pillows for elevating and supporting the body in a way that it keeps the acid down.
Here is a product description, and some testimonials from people using the MedSlant Wedge Pillow:
“Your pillow is truly a remarkable product. I have recommended it to family, friends and patients.” – T.Hold, M.D.
We all know that heartburn can turn a good night’s sleep into a nightmare. If you suffer from acid reflux, sleep apnea, snoring or any other digestive or breathing problems, the Medslant Wedge Pillow can be the natural solution you’re looking for.
The pillow is 24” wide, 32” long, and 7” high, and is designed from recommended physician guidelines for reducing acid reflux while you are sleeping. It supports and elevates your upper body, using gravity to keep acid down and your airways open. Plus, it won’t put extra pressure on your stomach like those short wedges do, “folding” your body and making problems worse.
The hypoallergenic foam wedge has a washable, removable zippered cover. The package also includes an extra pillow case that folds into the included eco-friendly travel case. Just fold the pillow, zip it into the case and it’s ready for under the bed or overhead on an airplane.
Use whatever kind of personal pillow you like with this wedge and sleep on your side or you back, it’s big enough!
“I slept more soundly and my reflux cough progressively diminished. I will recommend it to any of my patients.” – Paul Jelliner, M.D.
“After using the terrific MedSlant pillow, neither of us get acid reflux or even take medicine any more. I recommend Medslant to everyone I know.” – Steve O’Brien, Travel Show Live.
“Since using MedSlant I’ve been able to stop taking 2 PPI pills a day. MedSlant really does work!” – Mary, AL
If you are one of the millions of men and women who suffer from acid reflux and heartburn, being deprived of a good night’s sleep, or finding that your problems are worsened through the night and while sleeping – you can benefit from sleeping the MedSlant Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow.
Doctor Recommended Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux.
