There's good news for people who suffer from nighttime heartburn and acid reflux, also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease, or GERD. A new study shows a special pillow may help relieve acid that creeps back up into the esophagus while sleeping, causing discomfort and often a bitter taste.
"What happens is when you lay flat, the valve between your esophagus and your stomach is right where food layers in your stomach, so if food and acid is sitting right over the valve, it's very easy for that to come back up into your esophagus and cause symptoms," explained Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Scott Gabbard, who led the research.
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Researchers studied a small group of patients with debilitating nighttime acid reflux where acid-reducing medication wasn't helping. Participants recorded their symptoms and then used a special pillow for two weeks. The pillow is designed to elevate someone's body while keeping them on their left side.
"The combination of elevation and laying on the left side separates food and acid from the valve so that there's less of the acid that can actually come back into your esophagus," said Gabbard.
After using the pillow for two weeks, participants said their symptoms improved.
"We found actually very significant reduction in symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation at night, as well as symptoms of morning impactive GERD, so irritability, poor night sleep, all improved by using the pillow," Gabbard added.
Gabbard said larger studies are needed, and he is expanding his research to include pregnant women with reflux at night, people who suffer from a cough and throat clearing at night, and lung transplant patients.
The study, Use of a Sleep Positioning Device Significantly Improves Nocturnal Gastro Esophageal Reflux Symptoms was presented at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting.