What brings it on and how can you ease the feeling of discomfort?
From studies on chronic gastroesophageal conditions like GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), we know that there is a close correlation between increasing frequency and severity of symptoms like heartburn and indigestion and a negative impact on quality of life. This is especially true of night-time symptoms, which have a substantial impact on quality of life and work productivity. 7 Even if you only experience mild symptoms, it can really ruin your day.
Studies on various population groups has shown that heartburn and indigestion are exacerbated after eating and at bedtime. 8,9,10,11
Night-time heartburn that wakes you up and general poor sleep quality may arise from the unusually long duration of periods of stomach acid moving into the oesophagus/throat resulting from reflux that occur during the sleep. 11
A lower gastric pH during the night than during the day may also have a role in these damaging episodes. 11
Even from a common-sense point of view, if you’re already experiencing heartburn or indigestion, lying down flat and trying to sleep may be putting pressure on your stomach, which can’t be helpful.
Read ahead to find out our top tips to help relieve the pain.
Heartburn and indigestion symptoms can be painful and disrupt your sleep, so it’s important to try to reduce them as much as you can with some simple changes to your lifestyle.
1. Avoid going to bed too soon after eating
It’s important to give your body some time to empty and properly digest your food before you lay down and go to sleep. Be sure to eat your last meal of the day three or more hours before you go to bed to allow it to pass through your digestive system. 6,12,13
2. Adjust your sleeping arrangements
Find something to put underneath your mattress (such a piece of wood) to prop the top of your bed up, so that you can go to sleep with your upper body elevated slightly. Lying down flat can make it easier for excess stomach acid to escape up your oesophagus causing you to feel the pain of heartburn. Having your head and back slightly slanted will mean that gravity will work against any excess acid to help stop it from moving up into your throat. 6,12,13
3. Try reducing stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can be a major contributor to heartburn and indigestion 14 and can have a real impact on our digestive system so it is imperative to try to keep our stress levels as low as we can. Make sure you get enough sleep each night and do things that make you happy. You could take up yoga or meditation to help you relax even more! 6
4. Wear the right pyjamas
Try wearing loose-fitting clothes to bed as tight clothes, especially around your waist, can put pressure on your stomach and this could also lead to heartburn and indigestion. 12
These simple changes may be small, but they can have a big impact on the severity of your heartburn and indigestion symptoms, so why not give them a try tonight?
Gaviscon is designed to relieve heartburn. It gets to work instantly, soothing in just 3 minutes 15 and lasting for up to 4 hours – two times longer than traditional antacids. 3,4
Gaviscon has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of heartburn in the day and at night after treatment. 15
How Gaviscon works:
Take Gaviscon when you experience heartburn symptoms, or when they start to occur, such as after meals or just before bedtime. 16
Please note: All information presented is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. Always read the label before taking any medication. If symptoms are severe or prolonged, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist.
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Article published January 1st, 2020