Adjustable Beds for Relief from Acid Reflux

Most of us are familiar with the comfortable and satisfying feeling of relaxing after a particularly good meal. For some, that may be going for a walk after a Sunday roast; for others, it’s relaxing with a film after dinner. However you choose to relax, it’s a moment to look forward to and savour, perhaps to stop and connect with loved ones outside our otherwise busy schedule.

But for as many as a quarter of us, indigestion and heartburn can cause the time immediately after a meal to be fraught with pain, discomfort and potential embarrassment. It may also impact our lives in other ways, as it’s often triggered or becomes worse when we lie down to sleep at night. For some, it may seem like one of life’s inevitable miseries – after all, everyone has to eat and sleep – but fortunately, this is not the case, and in many instances, the solution may be easier than you think.

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, or gastro-oesophageal reflux, is a digestive complaint that occurs when the muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus (called the lower oesophageal sphincter) doesn’t close properly after food passes through. This means that acids and other stomach contents can travel back up towards the throat, creating a burning sensation (hence the term ‘heartburn’) and a sour taste in the back of the throat.

Most of us will experience acid reflux at some point in our lives, and we can usually treat it ourselves with over-the-counter indigestion medication. But for some people, acid reflux can be a lingering problem and may require professional medical intervention – especially if the indigestion affects your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

How Acid Reflux Affects Sleep

Many people will find that they suffer no digestive ill-effects during the day, but as soon as they lie down to sleep the burning sensation flares up, keeping them awake and uncomfortable. This is because when we are horizontal, we no longer have the advantage of gravity keeping our stomach acids in place and it’s much easier for them to tip back up into the oesophagus. We also produce less saliva when we’re asleep, which is the body’s natural acid neutraliser, so anything tipping the wrong way is likely to burn more acutely than if it did during the day.

While a bit of heartburn here and there is normal, prolonged symptoms are always worth further investigation. Aside from the fact that interrupted sleep can affect our ability to function during the day, overexposure to stomach acids may cause damage to the lower part of the oesophagus, and it could be masking symptoms of something more worrying.

How to Prevent and Treat Acid Reflux

We shouldn’t have to learn how to sleep with acid reflux, as it’s usually avoidable and almost always treatable. In many cases, eliminating the things that cause it – such as eating rich or spicy food, overeating, eating too quickly, exercising after a meal or eating immediately before bed – will be enough to resolve the problem. Smoking, pregnancy and some medications, such as aspirin, can also trigger indigestion. For more persistent symptoms, other measures you can take include:

Taking antacids: these use active ingredients such as magnesium or calcium carbonate to neutralise stomach acids so they don’t burn so acutely. Some also form a protective barrier to keep stomach contents in our stomach where they should be. Antacids aren’t meant to be used long term, but are fine if you only have an occasional problem.

Losing weight: excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, puts extra pressure on the stomach and can squeeze acids back up into the esophagus. Slimming down takes some of the load off this area, particularly when lying down and especially for side or stomach sleepers. Wearing loose clothing that doesn’t squeeze your belly can also help.

Sleeping on your left side: because the stomach is not symmetrical, acids are more likely to tip back if you lie on your back or right-hand side.

Speaking to your GP: if your indigestion is not improved by making lifestyle changes, or if symptoms persist for three weeks or more, it’s worth talking to a doctor to rule out any underlying problems and prevent permanent damage to the throat and stomach. If your indigestion is accompanied by any other symptoms, such as feeling unwell, losing weight, vomiting or difficulty swallowing food, then you should consult a medical professional as a matter of urgency.

Are Adjustable Beds Good for Acid Reflux?

Because being horizontal makes it easier for stomach acids to splash around where they shouldn’t, sleeping with your head and chest slightly raised can be a simple solution to many forms of indigestion. Exactly how high you should raise your bed for acid reflux will be down to personal preference, but experts recommend about 20–30 degrees, or 6–8 inches. This is best achieved with an adjustable bed and mattress, as using pillows can increase pressure on your abdomen which may make your symptoms worse and interrupt your sleep even further.

A single or double adjustable bed is designed to support the joints, avoiding excess pressure on any part of your body. Your spine is held in its natural ‘S’ position, which takes the strain off your internal organs so your digestive system can work efficiently while you sleep.

As it’s so comfortable thanks to the multitude of positions you can achieve, you are less likely to toss and turn in an adjustable bed, which again will keep your stomach acids from churning around and waking you up. This creates a positive cycle in which better sleeps improves your feeling of wellbeing during the day, which helps you make better lifestyle choices, and reduces instances of indigestion at night.

Many double adjustable beds have dual motor functions, so you and your partner can adjust each side individually without disturbing the other.

Similarly, if you’re partial to a little snooze after lunch, raising your bed, or even using a tailor-made recliner chair, will keep your stomach acids down and make your afternoon siesta much more palatable. As well as that, you’ll enjoy the other benefits of sleeping with the chest and legs raised, including improved circulation, ease of respiratory problems such as sleep apnoea, support for your neck and back and cushioning for any achy or arthritic joints.

The Bottom Line

Most of us will suffer from heartburn and indigestion at some point, and while we shouldn’t ignore it, in most cases it’s easily treated and will go away on its own. It’s simply a matter of making a few lifestyle changes and taking more care of what, and when, we eat.

For people who suffer acid reflux at night, investing in an adjustable bed so you can sleep with your head and chest slightly raised can be one of the best ways not just to get better sleep but to enjoy less pain and better health overall. Have a chat to the team at the Mobility Furniture Company to find out what bed will best fit your needs and lifestyle, and start enjoying undisturbed, indigestion-free sleep today.