Do you experience symptoms of acid reflux at night? Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing irritation and discomfort. This condition may aggravate when you lay on your bed to sleep at night. Lying flat doesn’t allow gravity to move food and acids down the food pipe and through your digestive system, so the acid can accumulate in place. We spoke to our expert Dr Amit Mittal, HOD and Senior Consultant, Department of Gastroenterology, SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram, who explained the causes of acid reflux at night and management measures.
According to StatPearls, GERD is caused by various intrinsic and structural mechanisms, or a combination of both, which disrupt the esophagogastric junction barrier and expose the oesophagus to acidic gastric contents. It is among the most common gastrointestinal disorders, affecting about 20% of adults in Western cultures.
The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) reports that 79% of individuals with GERD experience symptoms after bedtime. Up to 75% of these individuals say the symptoms impact their sleep, and 40% claim the resulting sleep loss affects their daily functioning.
Also Read: Can Spicy Food Trigger Acid Reflux? Expert Explains How It Exacerbates Your Symptoms
Warning Signs Of Acid Reflux
- An uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest that occurs after eating
- Sour or bitter-tasting acid backs up into the throat or mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Chest pain sometimes confused with heart-related pain
- Persistent cough not related to respiratory issues
- Nausea
According to Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the most common symptoms of GERD, whether it occurs during the day or at night, are heartburn and regurgitation. Individuals with significant nighttime GERD are more likely to experience increased extraesophageal symptoms, such as regurgitation, compared to those with daytime GERD.
Why Does It Happen?
“Backing up of acid from your stomach into your food pipe happens when the ring of muscle (sphincter) at the bottom of the food pipe becomes weak or abnormally relaxed, which allows stomach acid to flow back into the oesophagus”, said Dr Mittal.
The sphincter is a muscle that acts as a faucet. It relaxes to allow swallowed food to enter the stomach and closes to keep food from moving back into the food pipe.
Who Is At Risk?
- Acid reflux can be caused by excess weight placing pressure on the abdomen
- Smoking weakens the sphincter and increases stomach acid production
- Spicy, fatty or acidic foods can trigger symptoms
According to a randomised controlled trial by the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, it was found that sleeping on the left side helps alleviate acid reflux.
Also Read: Acid Reflux Burping: Expert Lists Its Causes, Remedies, And Treatment
How Can We Manage Acid Reflux?
Lifestyle Changes that can help with the prevention of acid reflux as listed by the expert are as follows:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Elevate the head of the bed
- Avoid large meals before bedtime
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol and caffeine intake
- Medications and surgery are also a few options, which your gastroenterologist can opt for if the condition has progressed
Bottomline
Dr Mittal concluded, “Managing acid reflux involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and, in some cases, surgery. By understanding the causes, symptoms and treatment options, you can work with their doctor to develop a personalised plan to control Acid Reflux and improve your quality of life.”
If you or your loved ones experience severe chest pain, difficulty in breathing or persistent symptoms despite lifestyle changes and medications, immediately seek immediate medical attention.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any health condition to get the necessary treatment.]