Acid reflux occurs when food or liquid contents in your stomach leak back up from your stomach into your esophagus, causing heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms. If you're experiencing acid reflux primarily at night, you could be suffering from cold sweats in the middle of the night that are closely followed by the painful burn.
What if you're only experiencing acid reflux at night?
There could be a number of things that are causing discomfort at night, such as an unhealthy diet.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help lower your chances of experiencing acid reflux at night that don't include popping an antacid.
- Eat an earlier, healthier dinner.
- Avoid eating an hour or two before bed.
- Take a plant based digestive enzyme.
- Take half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate.
- Propping an extra pillow or two (or a sleep wedge pillow) behind your back can help the acid in your stomach stop from flowing up into your esophagus.
- Lay off late night desserts or snacks.
- Don't over-consume coffee or wine.
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, shares why you could be experiencing acid reflux at night and ways you can ease your symptoms without going the doctor.
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is Director of the Fatigue & Fibromyalgia Practitioners Network and author of the best-selling book, From Fatigued to Fantastic! He is also the creator of the popular free iPhone & Android application "Cures A-Z."