How To Reduce Acid Before Bed

Eating spicy foods before bedtime is a reflux no-no.

Image Credit: mythja/iStock/Getty Images Acid reflux, or GERD, is an extremely unpleasant burning sensation in the chest and throat caused by the rise of stomach acids into the esophagus. There are many triggers that can worsen acid reflux, such as spicy foods, acidic fruit juices, caffeine and fried foods. Avoiding these foods can prevent acid reflux during the day; however, reflux gets worse at night in most cases. This causes sleeping difficulties and nausea for the sufferer. Following a few steps at home greatly reduces nighttime acid reflux symptoms.

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Step 1
   
Prop yourself up with lots of pillows.

Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images Raise the head of your bed by placing blocks under the bed frame or stiff pillows under the head of the mattress. This causes gravity to work at keeping stomach acids from rising. When you lie flat, stomach acids do not have to work very hard to move into your esophagus, thus causing increased discomfort.

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Step 2
   
Do not eat late at night.

Image Credit: ValentijnTempels/iStock/Getty Images Avoid eating meals less than three hours before bedtime. Eating close to bedtime causes stomach acids to work overtime as metabolic rates go into resting period. Eat a smaller meal three or four hours before going to bed, to avoid reflux symptoms.

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Step 3
   
Drink a glass of water before bedtime.

Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Drink a glass of water before bedtime. Water neutralizes stomach acids and soothes irritation. Some people may swear by milk; however, milk actually increases stomach acid production, according to Dr. Stuart Spechler, a digestive diseases expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

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Step 4

Follow a lowfat diet to lose weight. Overweight individuals are at an increased risk for nighttime acid reflux symptoms. Losing weight will significantly reduce acid reflux in sufferers of GERD.

Step 5
   
Acid reduction medicine.

Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images Take a continuous-release acid reducer 30 minutes before bedtime. This medication is formulated to neutralize stomach acids and ease discomfort associated with acid reflux.

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  references
  
      Quick Care: Heartburn and Indigestion
    
      Health Guidance: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      Quick Care: Heartburn and Indigestion
    
      Health Guidance: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Eating spicy foods before bedtime is a reflux no-no.

Image Credit: mythja/iStock/Getty Images

Prop yourself up with lots of pillows.

Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images

Do not eat late at night.

Image Credit: ValentijnTempels/iStock/Getty Images

Drink a glass of water before bedtime.

Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images

Acid reduction medicine.

Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images

      Quick Care: Heartburn and Indigestion
    
      Health Guidance: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux