Preventing Nighttime Acid reflux
Acid reflux is a physiological abnormality surrounding the gastro-esophageal track. In many cases it occurs due to poor functioning of lower sphincter valve or due to increase pressure in abdominal surroundings. Wrong kind of food, lifestyle and eating pattern is also one of the main reasons for reflux problems. Common symptom of acid reflux is chest pain. Patients describe it as a pain that radiates throughout the chest. The main reason of chest pain is heartburn that occurs due to inflammation of esophageal track. Persons with chronic acidity may get these symptoms. Acid reflex tends to intensify after meals and generally during nighttime. So proper prevention for reflux in nighttime should be done.
Prevention:
Here are some preventive tips that could help in reflux related problems.
1. Sleeping on an inclined surface with elevation in head. Wedge pillow can be used as it gives comfort along with effective nighttime reflux control.
2. Avoiding food that produces heartburns during night time as the due to sleeping position of the person makes it more possible for acid to back up in food canal.
3. Eating big meal rather than dinner. Eating big dinner is a common mistake that people make. Due to this the pressure is increased in the stomach also the body in sleep facilitates the acid to the esophagus.
4. Eating at least 2-3 times a day with less amount of food. It is beneficial to eat 4 to 5 smaller meals than larger 3 times meals.
5. Sleeping with loose fitting clothes. Thigh clothes crate the pressure in the abdomen forcing food up to the LES.
6. Sleeping on the left side rather than on the right side. It has been found that left side position in sleep aids digestion and helps in removal of stomach acids. Sleeping on the right side worsens it.
Prevention is better than cure. Even in case of reflux this holds true. But even if this disease can’t be curable, further prevention from disease can be done. If the acid reflex heartburn continues at night then the person should visit his physician. He/she will be able to diagnose it whether the person is suffering from heartburn or is it more serious than it appears. More serious problems relating nighttime acidic reflux can be an ulcer, hiatal hernia.
