How To Get Rid Of Heartburn Fast At Night

Is your sleep often interrupted by the burning sensation rising in your chest? Do you keep twisting and turning in your sheets until your patience runs out?

This article shares tips and home remedies to solve your nighttime heartburn pain. Please keep reading and learn why it is worse during nighttime and how to get rid of heartburn fast at night.

Table of Contents

Chew Gum

Various studies have been conducted to determine whether chewing gum can help with acid reflux/ heartburn, and a small study conducted in 2005 proves that chewing sugar-free gum can alleviate heartburn.

That’s because gum provides mechanical and gustatory stimuli. Both these factors encourage saliva production in your mouth. The more saliva, the more you will swallow. Constant swallowing keeps stomach acids from rising, and your saliva will neutralize their toxicity.

Adjust Your Sleeping Position

A wrong sleeping position can also increase the likelihood of heartburn at night. Doctors and physicians recommend acid reflux patients sleep on their left side. By doing so, your esophagus and stomach will connect to reduce the risk of stomach acids leaking into your esophagus. This position will also assist the digestion process.

Another tip is to elevate the head of your bed by 6-8 inches. When your head and chest are higher than your feet, the risk of acid reflux decreases significantly.

Tip: you can amend your position by using a foam or wedge pillow.

Baking Soda And Water

a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda

Baking soda and water is an effective home remedy that comes in handy when it’s late at night, and no other tools are available. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) gets rid of heartburn by neutralizing stomach acids and aiding the digestion process.

It is recommended to add ( ½ ) half a teaspoon of it with water and sip the drink slowly to avoid diarrhea and gas.

Fact: baking soda is also an active ingredient in several Otc medicines.

Eat a Piece Of Ginger

Ginger is rich in phenolic compounds. In fact, the consumption of ginger tea is considered a natural remedy to relieve heartburn pain. Since heartburn is experienced as a burning and inflaming sensation in your chest area, ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can reduce this symptom extensively.

Tip: if you don’t like ginger’s taste, you can crush and add it to other foods such as soup or smoothies.

Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Or Lemon Juice

apples, lemons, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice

This home remedy is questionable yet deemed effective to get rid of heartburn fast at night. Vinegar contains high amounts of acetic acid, breaking down the acidic stomach contents and aiding digestion. Meanwhile, lemon juice can have an alkalizing effect and neutralize stomach acids.

1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice mixed with water can be taken before and after meals to relieve heartburn.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is abundant in health properties. It is believed that aloe vera juice can significantly help with acid reflux. Its soothing effects will work as an anti-inflammatory agent and relieve heartburn pain markedly. Other than that, aloe vera juice is packed with vitamins and minerals to solve your symptoms of indigestion and reduce the risk of heartburn.

This treatment/ home remedy is trusted to be effective, and a 2015 study also supports it.

Amend Your Eating Habits

The solution is quite simple if you’re constantly overthinking how to get rid of heartburn fast at night. By making a few changes, you can prevent it to a great degree.

Make sure to eat smaller meals that way, food will process quickly, and fewer stomach contents will reduce the chances of acid reflux and heartburn at night.

It is also recommended to wait at least 45-60 minutes after eating a meal and then go to bed. When you eat big meals and lie down immediately afterward, the acids and bile get a chance to leak into your esophagus. You should also refrain from midnight snacking.

Read also: Are Potatoes Good For Acid Reflux?

Otc And Prescription Medications

The quickest and most effective way to get rid of heartburn at night would be to take OTCs (over-the-counter) counter medication or prescription drugs. Several counter-antacids are known to relieve heartburn immediately. Some over-the-counter antacid options include Maalox, Rolaids, and tums. PPIs proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and h2 Blockers such as Pepcid can also be taken.

Caution: it is always suggested to consult your healthcare provider first so that they can put you on a suitable treatment plan.

Tips To Avoid Nighttime Heartburn Altogether

Tips	Why it will help
Avoid trigger foods	Trigger substances such as acidic foods, spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, and dairy products worsen acid reflux because they are harder for your digestive system to process.
Wear loose-fitting clothes	It is noted in several patients that tight clothing, such as waistbands puts additional pressure on the mid-section and forces the acids to reflux backward.
Steer clear of cigarettes and every alcoholic beverage	Both are risk factors because nicotine causes the LES to relax, which worsens the risk of heartburn. Meanwhile, alcohol adds to stomach acids.
Keep a Food diary	Individuals react variously to different food substances, meaning there is no reliable method to determine your triggers. By keeping a food diary, you can track if any substance causes noticeable discomfort and then avoid it.
Sit in an upright position	Some people believe that slouching puts pressure on your abdomen and increases the probability of acid reflux. You can use throw pillows and cushions to sit upright.

Follow these tips and natural remedies before going to bed, and hopefully, your sleep won’t be interrupted by heartburn.

When To See a Doctor

Occasional heartburn is normal and nothing to be worried about. However, if you’re experiencing the below-listed problems, your situation has gotten out of hand.

Despite what you may have heard, acid reflux is a chronic condition that doesn’t go away independently. Make sure to seek medical help because neglecting it will only worsen your condition,

Symptoms are worsening

Medicines aren’t working
Heartburn causes vomiting
Frequent heartburn episodes with a little gap

Why Is Heartburn Worse At Night

Now that you know how to get rid of it, look at why it happens and why the pain seems more unbearable at nighttime.

Heartburn at night is a common symptom of acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. When the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions, it allows stomach acid to flow into your 11-inch-long food pipe. Heartburn symptoms mainly include a burning sensation and sharp chest pain.

Gravity is the main reason your acid reflux and heartburn pain feel even more horrible at night. When you’re standing or even sitting upright, the natural gravity keeps the acids from rising and remaining exactly where they should be. However, lying in bed makes it easier for stomach acids to travel up your digestive tract and cause painful symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which medicines can solve heartburn immediately?

Effective over-the-counter antacids such as Maalox or Tums and H2 blockers such as Pepcid or Zantac can be taken to get rid of heartburn fast at night. Proton-pump inhibitor omeprazole can be taken as an otc medicine too. However, It is always advised to consult a doctor first.

Does drinking water help heartburn?

Water is not a long-term solution. But yes, drinking water can sometimes relieve heartburn as it will wash acids down the esophagus and neutralize them in the stomach.

Does milk make heartburn worse?

Yes, milk is high-fat and causes acid reflux symptoms to worsen. However, the good news is that low-fat milk is a safe option. The high amounts of protein and calcium in milk will provide fast relief.

Does lying down help heartburn?

A- whether lying down will help with heartburn depends solely on your position. Sleeping on your right side will cause the LES to relax, aggravating the symptoms; meanwhile, the left side is considered safe.

How To Get Rid Of Heartburn Fast at Night Summary

In this article, we hope you understand how to get rid of heartburn fast at night. We comprehensively listed the most effective tips and home remedies for heartburn relief. Now that you know why it’s worse at night and the possible methods to solve it, always remember to seek medical help when necessary.

Besides the intense discomfort, neglect of this health problem can also lead to esophagitis, barium swallow, and even esophageal cancer.

Did you find this article helpful? Make sure to share these easy-to-follow tips with your friends and family.