Nighttime Heartburn

A Gallup survey conducted in 2001 on behalf of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), revealed that nearly eight in ten heartburn sufferers experience symptoms at night. Three quarters of nocturnal heartburn sufferers report that nighttime heartburn either keeps them from falling asleep or wakes them up during sleep. Approximately 40 percent report a negative impact on their ability to work the next day. In response to these survey results, the AGA launched a campaign to educate the public about nighttime heartburn. The National Heartburn Alliance would like to address the concerns that have been raised about potential dangers associated with nighttime heartburn.

With good advice from a health care professional, most heartburn sufferers should be able to develop a healthy plan to control their heartburn. Given the many recent advancements in the understanding and treatment of heartburn, even the most severe heartburn sufferers generally find that they can control their heartburn with heartburn medications and some simple lifestyle changes.

Heartburn can be a serious problem for some people. Those who experience persistent or prolonged nighttime heartburn unresponsive to OTC medications may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD; they should be under the care of a physician. Patients who experience heartburn symptoms for 5 years or longer should discuss having a one-time diagnostic screening test with their health care professional. Potential symptoms of GERD include:

Suffering from heartburn symptoms even after taking prescription or non-prescription medications according to product package directions for use
Having taken non-prescription medication for heartburn for a longer period than recommended on the label or still experiencing symptoms after taking medication
Experiencing severe hoarseness or wheezing
Experiencing swallowing that is painful or difficult, especially with solid foods or pills
Experiencing vomiting or drastic weight loss
Finding that your discomfort interferes with your lifestyle or daily activities
Symptoms becoming more severe over time.

Sufferers with persistent or prolonged heartburn symptoms unresponsive or poorly responsive to OTC heartburn therapies should talk to their doctor about whether a screening is necessary to better determine their risk factor for erosive esophagitis and changes that might indicate increased esophageal cancer risk.

For more information on the complications of GERD, click here.

Those with occasional daytime and/or nighttime heartburn often experience milder symptoms and may be able to self-medicate successfully with nonprescription heartburn medications. They are at a much lower risk for esophageal erosions and other complications that can, in rare cases, develop from acid reflux. Sufferers should keep in mind that there is a vast spectrum of heartburn symptoms ranging from very mild to very severe, and the overwhelming majority of heartburn sufferers will not develop serious complications involving the esophagus.

Sufferers who experience nighttime heartburn should consider the following tips:

Eat meals at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down — the added time will give acid levels a chance to decrease and the gastric contents time to empty into the intestinal tract before putting one's body in a position where heartburn is more likely to occur.
Elevate the head of the bed four to six inches using blocks — this method uses gravity to help prevent acid from creeping up the esophagus while lying down.
Try sleeping on the left side — some studies indicate this helps with digestion and the removal of acid from the stomach more quickly.

For additional tips on preventing and managing heartburn, click here.