If you regularly wake up with a burning sensation in your chest, a sour taste in your mouth, or the uncomfortable feeling that stomach contents are creeping back toward your throat, your sleeping position may be worth considering.
Acid reflux can be especially frustrating at night. Once you’re lying down, gravity is no longer helping keep stomach contents where they belong, and symptoms can become more noticeable. For some people with nighttime reflux, something as simple as changing the side they sleep on may help.
Research has found that sleeping on the left side is associated with less nighttime acid exposure than sleeping on the right side or on the back. That doesn’t mean changing positions will cure GERD, but it can be a useful part of managing nighttime symptoms.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux (GER), happens when stomach contents move backward into the esophagus.
