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Can You Die from Acid Reflux in Your Sleep? Risks and Prevention
Acid reflux can cause worrisome symptoms at night, making you wonder if you can die from it in your sleep. The good news? It won’t. However, it can lead to serious complications. In this deep dive, we’ll examine what causes acid reflux, why it’s worse at night, and what you can do to prevent it at night.
Understanding Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid continuously backs up into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. This tube is called your esophagus. This acid backwash irritates your esophagus lining, causing heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms.
The acid must first get past your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to reach your esophagus. The LES is the valve at the bottom of your esophagus that typically blocks things from coming back up. When working properly, the LES opens so you can swallow. It then closes afterward to keep the contents inside your stomach. (It sometimes slightly opens to let out gas bubbles, like when you burp or hiccup.) However, when your LES is weak or too relaxed, it lets too much acid pass through. This results in acid reflux or turning into chronic GERD.
Acid reflux causes and Risks
There are several reasons why your LES may not be functioning normally. Here are a few.
- Hiatal hernia: This occurs when the upper part of your stomach bulges up through the diaphragm and into your chest. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. This condition can weaken the LES and make acid reflux more likely.
- Pregnancy: An extended abdomen can push on and weaken the diaphragm muscles that support the LES. Higher levels of hormones can also relax the LES. Some hormones that cause this are relaxin, estrogen, and progesterone.
- Obesity:Similarly, obesity can increase the pressure and volume in your abdomen. This weakens the muscles in your diaphragm and, ultimately, your LES. Having extra fat tissues can also increase estrogen levels.
- Eating Habits:Eating large meals or lying down immediately after eating can cause problems. It can make your upper stomach swell, so there isn't enough pressure for the LES to close properly.
- Smoking:Smoking and second-hand smoke can cause you to cough. Coughing opens your LES and can weaken the muscles in your diaphragm.
- Lifestyle Factors:Drinking alcohol and using certain medications can cause acid reflux. Even eating particular foods (like spicy and fatty foods) can induce this issue.
- Health factors:Connective tissue disorders, older age, asthma, and anxiety can also cause acid reflux.
Acid reflux symptoms
Signs of GERD and acid reflux include the following:
- Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux. It is characterized by a painful, burning feeling in the chest.
- Chest painis often associated with GERD at night. It can cause patients to experience disrupted sleep. This radiating chest pain mimics heart-related pain and can last minutes to hours.
- A sore throatoccurs when stomach acid rises up into your mouth and throat. This reflux in the throat frequently happens while you sleep.
- Asthma-like symptomslike coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath occur can be signs of acid reflux. They occur when acid particles get inside and contract your airways.
- Regurgitation is another common symptom of GERD. It happens when small amounts of acid or food particles rise back up into the mouth or throat.
- Nauseafrom an overflow of acid can cause you to feel queasy or like you still have more food that needs to be digested.
How Acid Reflux Can Affect Sleep
Acid reflux is often worse at night. When you lie down, gravity no longer works to keep your stomach acid down, making reflux more likely to occur. You also produce less saliva during deep sleep. Saliva is essential to neutralizing stomach acid and pushing it downward.
With the lack of gravity and saliva, stomach acid is more likely to leak into and remain in the esophagus longer. This can cause more significant GERD symptoms that affect sleep quality. GERD flare-ups can also make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and coughing cause these sleep challenges.
Acid reflux and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
GERD and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are also closely linked. People with OSA have an airway blockage that interrupts their breathing during sleep. GERD may impact the ability to breathe normally, increasing sleep apnea symptoms. Simultaneously, OSA causes people to get less sleep. Limited sleep could make the esophagus more likely to experience reflux.
When GERD and OSA occur together, they create complications during sleep. These issues affect a person's comfort and overall well-being.
Risks Associated with Nighttime Acid Reflux
We mentioned that chronic acid reflux will not kill you in your sleep. However, it can cause potential complications. The most serious being esophageal cancer. People with GERD indeed have a slightly higher chance of developing it. However,most people with GERD will not go on to have esophageal cancer.
That being said, GERD can have serious health implications if left untreated at night. Here are some important conditions to consider:
- Esophagitis occurs when the esophagus experiences prolonged exposure to stomach acid. It causes inflammation of the esophageal lining. Symptoms include heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.
- Severe chronic inflammation can causeulcersor erosions in the esophageal lining.
- Strictures, or scar tissue, can form from acid reflux at night. It causes repeated damage to the esophagus, making it difficult or painful to swallow.
- Barrett's Esophagusincreases the risk of developing cancer. This is because the lining of the lower esophagus changes due to chronic acid reflux.
- Respiratory problems, like hoarseness and sore throat, can cause chronic coughing or laryngitis.
- Dental issuescan occur when stomach acid erodes tooth enamel. These issues increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay.
Preventing Acid Reflux During Sleep
While there’s no one-size-fits-all for GERD relief, here are a few ways to prevent acid reflux at night.
- Change your sleeping position.Research shows thatsleeping on your left sideis the best position for GERD. It helps reduce reflux episodes andstomach acid flow into the esophagus. Elevating your head by at least six inches can also reduce reflux symptoms at night.
- Make dietary adjustments.Identify and avoid trigger foods that worsen your acid reflux. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This strategy reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces and keeps it less full before bed. Allow at least two hours between your last meal or snack and bedtime. This extra time helps your stomach digest food and empty its contents before lying down.
- Implement lifestyle changes.Maintain a healthy weight through exercise and diet. Excess weight puts pressure on your abdomen. This pressure pushes stomach acid up into your esophagus. Quit smoking as it weakens the LES muscle and allows stomach acid to leak back up more easily. Alcohol and carbonated drinks can irritate the esophagus and relax the LES. Avoid these drinks, as they can worsen acid reflux.
- Practice good sleep hygiene.Stick to a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to wind down at least an hour before sleep. Also, be sure to create a quiet and comfortable sleep environment.
- Consider medication.Over-the-counter medications, like antacids, can neutralize stomach acid. They can provide quick relief from heartburn. H2 blockers can also reduce stomach acid production and effectively prevent nighttime reflux.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If severe acid reflux keeps you up at night and affects your sleep quality, your first step is to see your doctor. They can conduct the necessary tests and determine the cause. Then, they can recommend treatment.
Seek medical advice if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- GERD symptoms on most days for a few weeks or more
- Acid reflux that is not responding to lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medicines
- Frequent vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Food that gets stuck in your throat
Seek help immediately if you have chest pain. When accompanied by pain in the jaw or arm and shortness of breath, it may signal a heart attack.
Final Thoughts on Acid Reflux and Sleep
Acid reflux is usually not life-threatening. However, it can keep you up at night and impact your sleep quality. If left untreated, it can also create serious complications. That’s why seeking medical help and implementing prevention strategies is important.
MedCline’s sleep wedges are medically-backed tools to supplement your strategy. Our Acid Reflux Pillows are supported by science. They offer safe, non-medication solutions for your health needs.
Our seamless design is made with adjustable memory foam stuffing. It aligns your spine and elevates your upper body. These features can prevent acid reflux from creeping up your esophagus. Our patented arm pockets can also be a preventative measure. They keep you comfortably in the recommended left-sided sleep position. They also avoid putting pressure on your shoulder.
Want more information about how our sleep solutions can help you sleep better on your side? VisitMedCline FAQs or contact our team ofSleep Specialists today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can acid reflux kill you in your sleep?
A: While you won’t die from acid reflux at night, it can cause serious complications if left untreated.
Q: What are the dangers of acid reflux at night?
A: Dangers include esophagitis, ulcers, strictures, Barrett's Esophagus, respiratory problems, and dental issues.
Q: How can I prevent acid reflux while sleeping?
A: To prevent acid reflux while sleeping, elevate your upper body and sleep on your left side. Lifestyle changes like waiting a few hours to go to bed after eating and quitting smoking can also help.
Q: What causes acid reflux to get worse at night?
A: When lying down, the lack of gravity can cause stomach acid to leak back up into the esophagus for longer. This makes acid reflux worse at night. Sleep also reduces saliva production, which is essential to pushing stomach acid down.
Q: Is nighttime acid reflux a sign of a more serious condition?
A: Nighttime acid reflux can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of these conditions. If you suspect you have OSA, seek help from your doctor.
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