Acid reflux while sleeping

Most patients with stomach problems have this experience, that is, the stomach is the most uncomfortable when sleeping and after waking up. Because when we sleep, we lie flat, and our stomach moves fastest at this time. It is also because of lying flat that esophageal reflux may occur, and we will feel acid water. So what should we do if gastric acid refluxes while sleeping?

Acid reflux is one of the main symptoms of GERD. Because the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly, acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus.

Before the esophagus enters the stomach, there is a cartilaginous valve called the lower esophageal sphincter.

When swallowing normally, this valve will open; after food enters the stomach from the esophagus, this muscle valve will close again. But when the valve cannot open and close normally, food and stomach acid in the stomach will flow back into the esophagus.

Sometimes patients complain that their throats seem to be blocked by phlegm, but this is actually saliva.

If acid reflux is not taken seriously, it may develop into esophageal cancer; and solving the problem of acid reflux should start with changing lifestyle habits.

reason:

① Eating a midnight snack very late, not fully digesting the food, and going to bed with a full stomach can easily cause gastroptosis, relax the lower sphincter, and cause gastric acid to reflux into the esophagus.

② If your pants are too tight, it will easily push stomach acid back into the esophagus.

③ Obesity, with more abdominal fat, puts a certain amount of pressure on the stomach.

Main symptoms:

1. The cough persists, the throat hurts, and swallowing becomes difficult.

2. There is a burning sensation in the chest that goes all the way to the throat.

3. Sour or bitter taste in the mouth.

4. Abdominal pain, hiccups, and bloating.

Adjustment method:

1) Adjust your lifestyle: Try to avoid eating 3 to 4 hours before going to bed, and try not to drink water, because what you drink is boiled water, and what flows back is stomach acid. Avoid lying down after meals; eat small meals frequently to reduce pressure on the stomach, and avoid wearing tight clothing. Raise your head by about 10 cm when sleeping to help relieve acid reflux at night.

2) Reduce the intake of chocolate, coffee and tea, greasy and fried foods, onion, garlic, mint-flavored foods, etc.

3) Use medication to control nausea symptoms and take it half an hour before meals to help digest food.