Say Goodbye to Nighttime Acid Reflux Forever

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Ending frequent nighttime acid reflux requires a few steps to find relief and a good night’s sleep. Avoiding trigger foods and eating dinner early can make a big difference in your acid reflux troubles, while lowering stress and trying a different sleep position can make reflux a thing of the past.

The National Library of Medicine shows that there were almost 800 million cases of reflux disease in 2019, and the prevalence of this statistic is estimated to keep growing each year. More people need to learn how to deal with reflux than ever before.

To ensure you and your loved ones never lose sleep or suffer unneeded discomfort due to acid reflux, we’ve put together this simple guide.

Why Acid Reflux Causes Sleep Disturbance

When acid reflux attacks occur, it’s most often during the night. This is due to the position of the body when you’re lying down to sleep.

Gravity no longer keeps everything down as it should, and we often put more pressure on the lower abdomen. Our mouths produce less saliva while sleeping, which decreases any natural clearance of acid buildup.

All of these things combined are why GERD nighttime treatment is so important. It’s the time when reflux is most likely to happen, so it’s better to put remedies in place before it disrupts your entire sleep schedule.

Acid Reflux Remedies

The good news is that there are many natural reflux solutions for you to try. Some take a longer time and more effort to be effective, while some can be implemented into your lifestyle right away.

Avoid Trigger Foods

Certain foods contribute to acid reflux more easily than others. One of the best things you can do for better sleep is to avoid eating fatty foods before going to bed.

Foods that trigger acid reflux include:

• Fried foods
• Greasy foods
• High-fat meats, like bacon or sausage
• Spicy foods
• Acidic fruits
• Onions
• Garlic

Try to adjust your eating habits to eat these kinds of favorites earlier in the day instead of in the evening. For dinner, try to focus on a diet for acid reflux reduction, such as the Mediterranean diet.

Finish Eating Early

Another adjustment in your schedule that will greatly reduce acid reflux is to eat your dinner several hours before you plan to go to sleep. While your body digests food, acids are stronger in the stomach.

If you go to bed with a full stomach, it’s much more likely that the digestive process will cause acid reflux and interrupt your sleep.

If you get hungry after dinner, you can always have a little snack. The key is to make sure it’s a non-fatty option that won’t leave you too full for bed.

Shift Your Sleep Position

Did you know that the position you sleep in can make acid reflux worse? Sleeping on your right side might feel more comfortable for you, but it’s a bad position for your body. It allows acid to flow more easily into your esophagus.

Curling yourself into the fetal position or lying on your back are also bad for reducing acid reflux.

Instead, try learning to sleep on your left side or with your upper body propped up. This small change keeps your body in a good alignment that will prevent acid from entering the esophagus while you sleep.

Lower Stress

Stress contributes to a lot of mental and physical health ailments, so it’s no surprise that it can make acid reflux worse if you can’t get it under control. Lowering stress is often easier said than done, but one surprising method that works especially well with GERD sufferers is called diaphragmatic breathing.

It gets you to breathe and relax, a tried-and-true method of unwinding, but it also strengthens your diaphragm. A stronger diaphragm helps reduce acid reflux. It’s a win-win situation!

When to Try Medication

If you’ve tried all of these methods and still nothing works, it’s time to consider taking medication to help fight off nighttime acid reflux. Talking to your doctor or medical provider can help you pinpoint the right medicines you can take.

Plus, they might be able to figure out if other underlying conditions cause your symptoms to be worse or more frequent than normal. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to talk to a medical professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Illness Can Be Mistaken for Acid Reflux?

When acid reflux is at its worst, it can sometimes be mistaken for the same symptoms as a heart attack. This not only makes the situation far more stressful but can also be difficult for your entire family.

That’s why it’s vital to understand how to control acid reflux before it gets out of hand and lands you in the emergency room.

How to Tell the Difference Between GERD and Acid Reflux?

At their core, both GERD and acid reflux are the same thing. GERD is a chronic disease, however, and often has more severe symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.

GERD can happen multiple times a week, sometimes even multiple times in a single day. Acid reflux tends to happen only once in a while.

What Are Some Unusual Signs of Acid Reflux?

Most people experience acid reflux as a burning in the chest, but that doesn’t mean it can’t manifest in other ways. Other signs include:

• Lump in the throat
• Dry mouth
• Hoarse voice
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Bad breath
• Coughing

Kiwi’s Role in Ending Nighttime Acid Reflux

When your attempts to control nighttime acid reflux come up short, it’s time to look for other options available to you. Finding hard-to-get medication at a good price doesn’t have to be difficult with Kiwi here to assist you.

With the backing of a large pharmacy with 40 years of experience, Kiwi can help connect those in need with budget-friendly healthcare products. We have a wide variety of products that can help with all kinds of issues, from insomnia to acid reflux.

Take a look at our list of products to find what you need to get a restful night’s sleep!