4 Tips to Stop Heartburn at Night
- Does heartburn wake you up at night? Lying down makes it easier for stomach acids to go up into your esophagus. To keep acid down, use gravity. Try a specially designed wedge-shaped pillow to prop yourself up. Not enough? Boost the head of your bed 6 inches with wood blocks secured under the bedposts. Sleeping on your left side can also help digestion and calm acid reflux.
- Eat earlier. Going to bed on a full stomach makes nighttime heartburn more likely. A full stomach puts pressure on the valve at the top of the stomach, which is supposed to keep stomach acid out of the esophagus. So eat at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime to give your stomach time to empty.
- Both of these after-dinner treats, coffee and chocolate, can trigger heartburn in some people. Other common offenders to skip at your evening meal include citrus fruits, onions, fizzy drinks, and fatty or spicy foods. Instead of fried entrees, try broiled.
- Exercise can make acid reflux worse. Avoid doing anything that’s very intense right before you go to bed. A leisurely walk after dinner and giving food time to settle may help prevent heartburn at night.
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I’ve been struggling with heartburn all week and I finally realized that it’s because of what I ate before bed. I’ve been avoiding fried foods and I’m looking forward to trying out new things next week.
Thanks for your comment. I’ve had similar experiences with food and caffeine. Here’s hoping you send heartburn out the door and it doesn’t return. Have a great day. Ray