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You finally get into bed after a long day, hoping for a good night’s sleep.
Then it starts.
A burning sensation rises in your chest. Your throat feels irritated. You may even notice a sour or bitter taste in your mouth.
For people who experience acid reflux or nighttime heartburn, these symptoms can make sleeping surprisingly difficult.
But there is one simple factor that may influence how severe symptoms feel at night:
Your sleeping position.
Why Can Acid Reflux Get Worse at Night?
Acid reflux happens when stomach contents move upward into the esophagus.
The lower esophageal sphincter normally helps prevent stomach contents from flowing backward. However, when this barrier doesn’t work effectively, stomach acid can travel upward and cause the familiar burning sensation known as heartburn.
When you’re standing or sitting upright, gravity can help keep stomach contents where they belong.
When you lie down, that advantage is reduced.
That’s one reason some people notice that reflux becomes more uncomfortable after going to bed.
Is Sleeping on Your Left Side Better?
For many people with nighttime reflux, sleeping on the left side may be helpful.
The position of the stomach and esophagus means that lying on the left side can reduce the likelihood of stomach contents moving upward into the esophagus.