Your grandparents probably called it “heartburn.” You and your gastroenterologist call this common digestive problem gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition can wear away the lining of your esophagus and cause a number of distressing symptoms, particularly at night. Here is more information on GERD and what you can do to manage your symptoms for the best possible night’s sleep.
The Reasons Behind Acid Reflux
Acid reflux symptoms develop when stomach contents–particularly caustic digestive acids–back up into the esophagus, or food pipe. Sometimes, people can even taste the bitter fluid, and they also experience:
- Chest discomfort, including the iconic burning sensation in the center of the breastbone
- Hoarseness of voice
- A sore throat
- Cough
- Shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms
- Dysphagia, or problems with swallowing efficiently
- A feeling that there is something stuck in the throat (doctors call this globus)
Complications of Acid Reflux
When severe and left untreated, acid reflux can erode the lining of the esophagus. It can also lead to narrowing, or strictures, and a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. While Barrett’s typically does not convert to cancer, GI specialists believe it is prudent to monitor its progression with periodic upper endoscopy imaging.
Managing Acid Reflux During the Night
If you have persistent symptoms of acid reflux, you should consult your family doctor or a board-certified gastroenterologist in Sarasota, FL, to get your symptoms and possible GI damage controlled. Most people improve with prescribed medications, such as Omeprazole, which limit the amount of acid your stomach produces.
However, lifestyle changes can optimize how well your medication works to control gastroesophageal reflux disease and to limit any additional damage to your upper GI tract. In general, it helps to:
- Stop smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid carbonated drinks
- Avoid peppermint and spicy/fatty foods
- Maintain a healthy weight
Risk factors for GERD include
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Wearing tight-fitting waist bands
To ease the symptoms of GERD, try to wear clothes that are not too tight around the waist and stomach. You should also know that sleeping flat on your back at night can increase your chances of having episodes of acid reflux. You naturally produce less beneficial saliva during the night, and remember that as you sleep, you swallow less often than you do when you are awake and upright during the day. Accordingly, our board-certified gastroenterologists recommend these nighttime practices to manage symptoms of acid reflux disease.
Avoid Eating Late at Night
Experts recommend stopping all eating and drinking for three hours before bedtime to allow the stomach enough time to empty adequately. Your last meal of the day–typically dinner–should not be overly large, and in fact, smaller, more frequent meals are better for your digestive system than one or two big meals. Finally, never lay down right away after eating regardless of whether your meal is large or small.
Elevate the Head of Your Bed
Adjustable beds are great if you have one. However, if you do not, you can put wooden blocks between your mattress and your bed frame to elevate the head of the bed. Just six inches is fine.
Raising the head of your bed six inches prevents acid and stomach contents from backing up into your esophagus as you sleep. So does sleeping on your left side.
If these solutions are not workable, use a pillow wedge or two pillows under your head and neck to prevent reflux.
Limit Spicy and Fatty Foods
Certain foods, including spicy ones, can trigger acid reflux symptoms–even disrupting your nighttime rest. Fatty foods even keep your stomach from emptying into the large intestine quickly, thus increasing your chances of a back-up during the day or at night.
Practice Deep Breathing
This relaxation technique can control daily stress, prepare you for a good night’s sleep and even increase the effectiveness of any medications you take to control your GERD.
When you get into bed, breathe in slowly through the nose, hold your breath briefly and exhale very slowly through the mouth. Do this five to 10 times before you try to go to sleep.
Managing Acid Reflux Symptoms in Bradenton, FL
At Intercoastal Medical Group in Sarasota, FL, we have four board-certified GI specialists on staff to work with our patients on a variety of digestive health issues, including GERD symptoms. Our care team places a big emphasis on patient education.
To discuss your symptoms of acid reflux with a board-certified gastroenterologist, book an appointment with one of our expert physicians. They see patients at our Lakewood Ranch II and Cattleridge Medical Building. You also may request your visit here. We look forward to talking with you soon.
