Tips to Prevent Stomach Acid from Rising at Night: Effective Strategies to Reduce GERD Symptoms

Editorial Team, CNBC Indonesia

Lifestyle

Friday, 09/15/2023 07:20 IWST

Photo: Hans Martin Paul via Pixabay

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Rising stomach acid can cause a sore throat and hoarse voice, even leaving an uncomfortable taste in your mouth. When stomach acid occurs continuously and causes chronic symptoms, this condition is usually called gastroesophageal reflux, aka GERD.

When GERD occurs, the common symptom that is often felt is pain in the upper abdomen and chest, or what people usually call heartburn.

If you experience these three conditions, where there are problems in the esophagus, increased stomach acid levels, and the stomach is empty, this can cause stomach acid to rise.

Tips to prevent stomach acid from rising at night

GERD often appears when lying down or when the sufferer is sleeping at night. The cause could be due to your sleeping position or the food you consume at night.

Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce the frequency and intensity of acid reflux, as well as minimize the complications that accompany the condition at night.

1. Sleep with your head up

Try a mattress lifter, wedge-shaped pillow, or adding pillows to help keep your bowels from moving upwards.

2. Sleep on your left side

Study published in American Journal of Gastroenterology studied 57 people with chronic stomach ulcers while they slept. The study found that stomach acid disappeared more quickly when participants slept on their left side, compared to their back or right side. Less acid exposure can reduce stomach ulcer pain and also reduce the risk of tissue damage and more serious problems.

3. Eat small portions but more often

It’s better to eat small portions but often. Keep your portion sizes under control.

Eat until your appetite is satisfied but before you feel full. This reduces the possibility of GERD recurring at night and is also good for your weight.

4. Don’t sleep after eating

Sleeping on a full stomach makes GERD more likely to occur at night. A full stomach puts pressure on the valve at the top of the stomach, which should prevent stomach acid from escaping from the esophagus.

So eat at least 2 to 3 hours before bed so that your stomach has time to empty. Try eating dinner earlier, and avoid snacks in the evening.

5. Chew slowly

Chewing food slowly and thoroughly makes food smaller and easier to digest.

6. Improve your posture

Try standing up straight to elongate your throat and make more room for your stomach.

7. Avoid tight clothes

Tight clothing puts pressure on the midsection. Avoid clothes that are too tight around your waist.

8. Avoid strenuous activities before bed

Exercise can make acid reflux worse. Avoid doing anything very intense before bed. It’s better to take a leisurely walk after dinner to help prevent stomach ulcers at night.

(hsy/hsy)

2023-09-15 00:20:45
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