The Way You Sleep May Be Making Your Acid Reflux Worse—Here’s What Experts Recommend

If heartburn or acid reflux tends to wake you up at night, your dinner may not be the only thing to blame.

The position you sleep in can influence what happens to stomach contents when you lie down. For people who experience nighttime reflux, a few simple changes to their evening routine and sleeping setup may help reduce symptoms.

Why Reflux Can Get Worse at Night

Acid reflux happens when stomach contents move upward into the esophagus. It can cause heartburn, a sour taste, regurgitation, coughing, or irritation in the throat.

During the day, gravity helps keep stomach contents where they belong. Once you lie down, that advantage is reduced, which can make nighttime symptoms more noticeable.

That is why the way you sleep may matter more than you realize.

Try Sleeping on Your Left Side

One commonly recommended position for nighttime reflux is sleeping on your left side.

The stomach sits toward the left side of the abdomen. When you lie on your left side, the position of the stomach and the connection between the stomach and esophagus may make it harder for stomach contents to move upward.