About what the night heartburn says

According to a study published in 2005 in the journal CHEST, one in four Americans suffers from heartburn during the night. This figure is higher among people who have chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

If you wake up at night because of heartburn, here are some tips to help you sleep better:

- Raise the head end of the bed for 10 - 15 cm, so you slept with a raised head and chest. You can raise the head of the bed by placing the supports underneath - although your husband or wife may be unhappy that they can slip off the bed several times. You can also lie on a special wedge-shaped pillow, specially made to sleep at a slope.

- The last meal of the day should be two to three hours before bedtime, this will reduce the risk of heartburn during the night. Avoid eating at night.

- Do not wear tight clothes, it can strengthen your symptoms.

- In the evening chew chewing gum. This can increase the production of saliva, which neutralizes gastric acid.

- Try to sleep on the left side. Some studies show that this promotes digestion because of the peculiarities of the structure of the body. If you sleep on your right side, the probability of heartburn is higher.

- Avoid foods that can provoke reflux or irritate the esophageal mucosa. This is alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pepper, vinegar, ketchup, mustard, as well as spicy and fatty foods.

- Do not take medications that can aggravate reflux. These include: aspirin and other painkillers, calcium channel blockers.

- If you smoke. =)

- If you are overweight, try to get rid of a few extra pounds.