Gastroesophageal reflux, also referred to as acid reflux, is a condition in which the acid from the stomach moves up to the esophagus. Having such episodes from time to time isn’t serious. However, if your stomach contents regularly move up it means that you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which can lead to some serious consequences.

One of the most common negative effects is experiencing sleep issues as GERD symptoms typically worsen when sleeping or when trying to fall asleep. So, if you cannot get a good night’s sleep because of heartburn, read on to find out more about acid reflux and sleep.

GERD Symptoms at Night

The painful burning sensation in the chest, also known as heartburn, is the major and most common symptom of acid reflux. Yet, be aware that not all GERD patients experience heartburn.

Regurgitation is another common GERD symptom. It is when a small amount of stomach acid, sometimes even pieces of food, comes up into the mouth or the back of the throat which can cause coughing or choking. In addition, regurgitation can also cause a sore throat, hoarse voice, and difficulty swallowing.

And, the radiating chest pain that accompanies heartburn can lead to jaw, neck, arms, or back pain that can last up to a couple of hours. This symptom is also one of the common reasons for frequent nighttime awakenings for those who suffer from GERD.

Why Do GERD Symptoms Worsen at Night?

Not that you know the most common symptoms of GERD, let’s see why they actually worsen after going to bed. Namely, some of the reasons include:

• Sleep position – as soon as you lie down the effect of gravity doesn’t work, making it easier for backflow of acid to happen.
• Reduced swallowing – when we sleep, we swallow less so swallowing doesn’t help in pushing stomach contents downward.
• Less saliva production – during deeper stages of sleep the body reduces the production of saliva which helps in neutralizing stomach acid.

All of these effects make it easier for stomach acid to come up into the esophagus and stay there longer which exacerbates GERD symptoms and thus causes sleep issues. It is even worse if you go to bed after having a meal.

The Link Between GERD and Sleep

GERD is one of the most common causes of sleeping issues. In a study conducted on people who often suffer from heartburn, almost 60% reported that it negatively affects their sleep and over 30% said it impaired their everyday life.

Other studies noted that people with GERD have lower sleep quality due to flare-ups of GERD symptoms. In general, they find it hard to fall asleep because after lying down they experience chest pain, heartburn, and coughing.

Furthermore, there’s a strong link between GERD and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder. Although experts debate about whether GERD causes OSA or OSA causes GERD, GERD likely affects the airways and breathing, thus causing more apneas.

How to Improve Sleep with GERD?

Last but not least, let’s see how can people with GERD improve their sleep and reduce their symptoms. Just remember that there is no single cure or solution for everyone, just a combination of steps to take to relieve symptoms and get better sleep. Here’s what you may try:

• Consult a doctor
• Sleep on your left side
• Prop up the top of your bed
• Consider medication
• Practice good sleep hygiene