Your cart is empty!
Add your favorite items to your cart.
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.
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.
There are several reasons why your LES may not be functioning normally. Here are a few.
Signs of GERD and acid reflux include the following:
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.
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.
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:
While there’s no one-size-fits-all for GERD relief, here are a few ways to prevent acid reflux at night.
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:
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.
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!
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.
Resources:
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …
Text SHOULDER to+1 (844) 942-0170to learn more and get discounts on our Shoulder Pain Relief System.
MedCline was founded in 2011 by Carl Melcher, M.D, who was a life-long sufferer of GERD. Dr. Melcher wanted to help the millions of GERD patients with a natural treatment alternative utilizing positional therapy. Since development, the Reflux Relief System has been validated in 7 clinical trials. Aiming to help other medical conditions with positional therapy, MedCline has also developed a Shoulder Relief System for those who suffer with chronic shoulder pain at night. Both MedCline Relief Systems are providing much-needed relief for those suffering from nocturnal acid reflux and/or nighttime shoulder pain to get quality, restorative sleep leading to a higher health-related quality of life.
To learn more about acid reflux relief, visit our Reflux Relief System Page.
To learn more about shoulder pain relief, visit our Shoulder Relief System Page.