Learn how to stop acid reflux at night and finally get the sleep you need!
Discloser: I am not a trained health professional. All articles are based on my own experience and opinions. Please consult with a health professional before making lifestyle changes.
Having occasional or chronic acid reflux at night can wreak havoc on your sleep. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent acid reflux at night.
Before we talk about specific nighttime habits you can try, we should talk about your diet.
If you’re eating acid reflux-causing foods during the day then your acid reflux will naturally be worse at night. If you haven’t already studied up on the worst foods for acid reflux and the foods that help acid reflux. You can also use those articles to help identify your specific trigger foods and know when to avoid them.
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Tips For Stopping Acid Reflux At Night
There are a few physical adjustments you can make to your sleeping habits to improve your acid reflux.
Stop eating 2-3 hours before bed
Giving your body time to digest before going to sleep is critical in preventing acid reflux. I actually recommend trying some sort of intermittent fasting for acid reflux to allow your body the time to completely digest throughout the night.
Take Slippery Elm before bed
Taking a slippery elm capsule or drinking slippery elm tea before bed is a great way to prevent acid reflux and let your body heal from any acid reflux you may have triggered during the day.
Prop your head up
If you primarily get acid reflux during the night that wakes you up or you feel it first thing in the morning try propping your head up with additional pillows. You can just an extra regular pillow or try one of these wedge pillows.
Sleep on the left side
If you are a side sleeper try to sleep on your left side. This position prevents stomach acid from entering your esophagus simply due to gravity. I LOVE this body pillow from Amazon.
Wear loose fitting clothes to bed
Wearing tight and restricting clothes to bed can cause excess pressure on your abdomen and cause acid reflux. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes to bed.
How to get rid of acid reflux for good
If you have chronic acid reflux and want to get rid of it naturally check out my guide to getting rid of acid reflux in 4 weeks.
Thank you Noel for all of your tips! I have mild acid reflux and my GI dr prescribed 40mg of famotidine for 9 month period. I did my homework and decided not to take it. Instead I took otc Pepcid as needed and learned my triggers and after about a month it stopped. Now it has recently flared and I need to get back to basics again! Thanks for your info because I was ready to start taking the famotidine tonight but instead I will use your suggestions!