Heartburn is a common condition that affects a lot of people on a day to day basis. Most people confuse this condition with a heart-related disease, but it is instead a gastrointestinal issue. It occurs when the food and the acid present in the stomach travels back to the oesophagus. This causes a burning sensation in the lining of the oesophagus. As it happens near the heart, it is called heartburn. This problem is a common occurrence after having spicy food or while wearing tight pants. But some people experience this on a daily basis due to their lifestyle habits or medications. Those who have experienced heartburn know how unpleasant the burning sensation is and often wonder why it gets worse at night.
You can blame the gravitational force for the discomfort that you face when you go to sleep. When you lie down, the food travels from the stomach to the oesophagus due to the gravitational force, which does not happen when you are standing or sitting. While standing or sitting the food and acid remains in the stomach, where the digestion process takes place due to the gravitational pull.
People who take certain medicines or smoke and drink are more prone to suffer from heartburns at night as compared to others. These are a few ways to get relief from nighttime heartburn.
Eat a smaller meal: Do not overeat at night. Keep your meal simple and light that can be easily digested by the stomach.
Do not have fatty or spicy food: If you often suffer from heartburn then avoid having fatty and spicy food at night. This will make the symptoms worse. Also, avoid alcohol at night as it may trigger acid reflux.
Do not go to bed immediately after having your food: You must have your food at least 2 hours before going to bed. Going to sleep immediately after having your dinner can increase the chances of heartburn.
Lose weight: People who are overweight are at greater risk of heartburn. This is because extra weight can put pressure on the stomach and lead to acid spilling up into the oesophagus. So, try to lose some weight.
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/healthnews último acesso 9.10.20 )
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