Dangerous Nighttime Heartburn

Why is heartburn more dangerous at night? There are several reasons this may be the case, and why heartburn sufferers should take precautions.
When symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occur at night, they can be more damaging than those same symptoms during the day. If you are a GERD sufferer, you know how your symptoms can cause problems, such as the pain and the irritation. When you sleep at night, your body is less prepared to deal with these symptoms, and less able to prevent possible lasting damage. While we know from experience that acid reflux at night can disrupt our sleep, we also need to understand the other potentially harmful factors that can make nighttime heartburn more likely to cause damage.
These factors include:  
Sleeping in a supine position.
Laying flat in bed allows stomach acid to flow more easily into the esophagus, and stay there more longer periods of time then when a person is in an upright position. Even elevating the head and shoulders 6 to 8 inches will help keep stomach acid where it belongs, in the stomach.
 
We can't drink or swallow every time an acid reflux episode occurs when sleeping.
When GERD sufferers are awake and there's an episode of acid reflux, they often will rinse their mouth or swallow some liquid. Even swallowing saliva helps. When asleep, once the refluxed acid is in the esophagus or throat, the sufferer isn't always aware of it, and thus doesn't take steps to rinse the acid away.
 
There's an increased risk of choking on refluxed stomach contents.
If refluxed acid is in the throat and mouth, a GERD sufferer can inhale this into their lungs. Once in the lungs, it can cause a GERD sufferer to cough and choke on this aspirated material. The acid can also cause the same damage to the lungs as it can cause when refluxed into the esophagus.
———
Anyone who is troubled with nighttime GERD symptoms should talk to their doctor. There are medications that can help control the acid reflux. The doctor can also discuss preventive measures a GERD sufferers can use to help prevent damage that can occur with nighttime reflux.
For suggestions on easing nighttime heartburn, read this nighttime heartburn prevention article.
——————
Updated: 02/14/2006
View the original article here

Preventing Nighttime Heartburn

Nearly eight in ten heartburn sufferers experience symptoms at night. If you suffer from nighttime heartburn, you may not realize that what you do during the day and how you sleep at night can have a big impact on whether or not you suffer from nighttime heartburn.

Here are several tips to help you feel better and get a good night's rest that is free of heartburn:

Lying flat allows stomach contents to press against the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). Also, having the head higher than the stomach allows gravity to keep stomach contents where they belong.zSB(3,3)Studies have shown that this position aids digestion and helps with the removal of stomach acid. Sleeping on the right side has been shown to worsen heartburn. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the LES, increasing the chances of refluxed food. Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen, such as tight belts and waistbands, will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES, and cause food to reflux into the esophagus. Chewing gum can provide short-term heartburn relief by stimulating the production of saliva, which dilutes and flushes out stomach acid. More importantly, saliva can actually neutralize stomach acid. Some people enjoy a before-bed cigarette. Nicotine, however, can weaken the LES. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid and relaxes the LES. If you are overweight, pressure of excess weight can increase the chance stomach acid will back up in to your esophagus.zSB(1,2)Antacids will work very quickly on heartburn you may be experiencing before you go to bed. If you are taking an antacid more than once or twice a week, you should see your doctor about another treatment plan.

Stress may lead to an increase in stomach acid production. It is also known to lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn, such as overeating.

Sources:
"Nighttime Heartburn" The American Gastroenterological Association. Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia28 May 2008.

American Journal of Gastroenterology, "Updated Guidelines for the diagnosis and Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease." The American College of Gastroenterology. Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia28 May 2008.

if(zSbL

View the original article here

Tips for Nighttime Heartburn

Nearly eight in 10 heartburn sufferers experience symptoms at night. But staying up all night to fend off heartburn isn't practical. Here are several tips to help you feel better and get a good night's rest -- free of heartburn. Eat 6 smaller meals each day instead of 3 larger ones. This will help keep the stomach from becoming too full, and help prevent excessive production of stomach acid. If one of your meals ends up being larger than the others, aim to eat that meal for lunch instead of supper. Don't eat too quickly. One way to help you slow down while eating is to put your fork or spoon down between bites. Avoid bending over soon after eating. Bending at the waist increases pressure on the stomach, and can increase heartburn symptoms. Avoid late-night snacking. Eating shortly before going to bed can increase your chances of experiencing heartburn because of increased stomach acid levels.

 Wait at least two to three hours after eating to go to bed. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the chances of refluxed food. Limit the amount of citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, that you eat. Avoid spicy foods, and cut back on chili and pepper. Spicy foods are known to cause heartburn symptoms in many GERD patients. Limit acidic foods, such as tomatoes and oranges, as well as choices that are based on these foods (such as ketchup, spaghetti sauces, etc.) Stick with lean meats. Fattier meats are heartburn triggers for many people. Limit fried foods, especially if they are greasy. Greasy foods, such as French fries, can trigger heartburn. Limit the amount of chocolate you eat. No matter how good it tastes, chocolate is a heartburn trigger for many GERD sufferers.

 Avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid, and relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Avoid caffeinated drinks, such as colas and coffee. Caffeine relaxes the LES, increasing the risk of acid reflux. Drink warm liquids. Drinking a glass of lukewarm water or herbal tea after a meal can dilute and flush out stomach acid. Drink plenty of water, which helps with digestion. Do not drink too much water at one time, however. This just increases the stomach contents and can actually worsen heartburn symptoms. It is better to drink smaller amounts throughout the day rather than large amounts less often. Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated. Lying flat allows stomach contents to press against the LES. Also, having the head higher than the stomach allows gravity to keep stomach contents where they belong. Sleep on your left side. Studies have shown that this position aids digestion and helps with the removal of stomach acid. Sleeping on the right side has been shown to worsen heartburn. Make sure your bed clothes are loose-fitting. Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen -- such as tight belts and waistbands -- will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES. This can cause food to reflux into the esophagus. Stop smoking. Nicotine can weaken the LES. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid. Take an antacid when heartburn hits. Antacids will work very quickly on heartburn you may be experiencing before you go to bed. If you are taking an antacid more than once or twice a week, you should see your doctor about another treatment plan. Lose weight.

 If you are overweight, the pressure of excess weight can increase the chance that stomach acid will back up into your esophagus. Relax! Stress may lead to an increase in stomach acid production. It is also known to lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn, such as overeating. Get regular exercise, which can help with digestion. Just make sure to wait at least two hours after a meal before breaking a sweat. Exercising on a too-full stomach can trigger heartburn. Check your medications. Some medications can worsen heartburn symptoms, so talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Sources:

American Journal of Gastroenterology, "Updated Guidelines for the diagnosis and Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease." The American College of Gastroenterology. Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia21 May 2007.

"Nighttime Heartburn" The American Gastroenterological Association. Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia21 May 2007.

View the original article here