Why gerd worse at night

The reason for this is gravity. When you sit or stand, gravity helps move the food through your esophagus and into the stomach. Laying down also prevents gravity from keeping bile and acids from traveling up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

When stomach acid hits the lower part of the esophagus, it can produce a burning sensation. This is what we call heartburn or, more formally, gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. Find out why and get tips to reduce it. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Occasional episodes of reflux are normal, but when they occur regularly, they can have serious consequences and are known as gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD.

Most patients with GERD experience an increase in the severity of symptoms, including heartburn, while sleeping or attempting to sleep.

Beyond just heartburn, if stomach acid backs up as far as the throat and larynx, a sleeper may wake up coughing and choking or with major chest pain. Understanding GERD, including its symptoms, causes, and treatments can help people with this condition manage it more effectively. Acid reflux, also known as acid indigestion, happens when stomach acid moves up from the stomach and into the esophagus.

Virtually everyone experiences reflux from time to time, but for most people, it is mild, infrequent, and goes away quickly on its own.

For people with GERD, on the other hand, acid reflux typically happens at least once per week and often involves more severe and bothersome symptoms.

While it is usually thought of as affecting adults, it can occur in infants and children as well. Another common symptom of GERD is regurgitation, which means a small amount of stomach acid and sometimes bits of food come up into the mouth or back of the throat.

When leaks of stomach acid rise to the mouth and throat, it can cause coughing and a feeling of choking. It may cause a sore throat, including a hoarse voice. Some patients experience difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, or the feeling of something blocking their throat. On top of the discomfort from heartburn, GERD can cause radiating chest pain that can affect the neck, back, jaw, or arms and last for minutes to hours.

This symptom is frequently associated with nighttime awakenings for people with GERD. There are several explanations for why GERD is commonly worse at night after going to bed:. A combination of these effects can facilitate the leakage of stomach acid into the esophagus and allow the acid to remain in place for longer, potentially causing more severe GERD symptoms , including those that can disturb sleep.

Chronic reflux and GERD can cause serious complications. These include inflammation and ulcers of the esophagus, scar tissue that narrows the esophagus, spasms affecting the airway, chronic cough, damage to teeth, and exacerbated asthma symptoms. Barrett esophagus is considered to be the primary risk factor for esophageal cancer although not everyone with the condition develops cancer. The immediate cause of GERD is the inability of the muscles at the bottom of the esophagus to block reflux of stomach acid, but other underlying elements have been found to make that condition more likely.

These risk factors contribute to the chances of developing GERD. Flare ups of GERD symptoms after lying down can make it hard to fall asleep and can cause nighttime interruptions from heartburn, chest pain, and coughing. Studies in sleep clinics of people with GERD have found that these symptoms are correlated with lower sleep quality.

Research has also identified a link between GERD and obstructive sleep apnea OSA , a sleep disorder that involves blockage of the airway that incites pauses in breathing during sleep. It is possible that GERD affects the airway and ability to breathe normally, causing more apneas during the night.

Lack of sleep from OSA may make the esophagus more susceptible to reflux. In addition, factors like alcohol consumption, smoking, and obesity can increase risk for both GERD and OSA, so the correlation between the conditions may be a result of these factors.

Because these are complex medical issues, a doctor can best examine the situation, determine the potential cause, order necessary tests, and recommend treatment. Treatment options can include both medical and non-medical approaches. Lifestyle changes to reduce potential GERD triggers are a common aspect of managing the condition.

Examples include reducing consumption of spicy and acidic foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. Over-the-counter medications like antacids can bring temporary relief but may be of limited effectiveness in many people.

Other drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors PPIs and H2 blockers, try to reduce acid produced in the stomach. In rare cases when neither lifestyle changes nor medications have been effective, certain types of surgery may be considered to address GERD. While avoiding any acid reflux is ideal, managing symptoms well before bedtime can make it easier to sleep and prevent ongoing irritation of the esophagus at night.

If you know a particular food may trigger acid reflex, try to avoid it, especially at dinner. And if you have success easing acid reflux with antacids or other medications, be sure to take them well in advance of bedtime. Untreated GERD can lead to serious complications. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is a chronic condition that can make it difficult to sleep well.

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