Can You Die From Acid Reflux In Your Sleep?

What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when the acidic contents of your stomach pass up into your esophagus, the conduit that connects your throat to your stomach.

There’s a muscle at the lower end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is meant to open to let food into the stomach and close once it arrives. When that muscle relaxes too much or becomes weak, stomach acid can work its way into the esophagus lining.

This is what causes that uncomfortable burning feeling, known as heartburn, a sour taste in the back of your mouth, and for most people, regurgitation of food. For many people, it’s a minor, sporadic annoyance; for others, it can be more persistent and problematic.

When the issue rears its ugly head, doctors call it gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and both are questions we have answered in our Double Checkers series — news that not only is a bit of a buzzkill but also requires active management.

What Does Acid Reflux Feel Like While Sleeping?

Acid reflux at night is the worst. iteralignment: One reason for heartburn at night can be lying flat. There’s no longer gravity to help keep stomach acid in your stomach, so now it is more likely to wash up into your esophagus.

During sleep, that can “cause a burning or scalding taste in the throat or mouth and can keep someone up because they feel like something’s ‘coming up,’” Rubinstein says. Coughing or a hoarse voice continue being too common in the morning after an overnight reflux-induced acid throat irritation.

Indeed, many have noted that they sleep poorly as a result of acid reflux. Some may rouse repeatedly during the night, have difficulty getting back to sleep or wake up feeling unrefreshed in the morning because of persistent discomfort.

Can Acid Reflux Cause Vomiting?

Yes — acid reflux can lead to a gagging reflex that causes this type of response. When stomach acid (and sometimes food) backs up into your esophagus and down a bit into your throat, repeatedly, your liver kind of gets the signal that it needs to react in some way, and what it does is make you vomit — an action that allows you to eject something irritating.

Frequent vomiting, insomuch as it occurs at night, is seen rarely in mild reflux but does happen in more severe irritation or where the reflux is frequent. Repeated vomiting like this can also irritate your throat, damage the lining of your esophagus (despite being buffered by saliva), and increase the risk of such ills as gastritis or an ulcer.

If you see vomiting along with reflux symptoms, it’s time to talk with a healthcare provider — especially if it’s happening with regularity or is interfering with sleep.

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What Can I Do for an Acid Reflux Attack at Night?

When acid reflux attacks in the middle of the night, it can be very unpleasant, but there are a few things that you should try to bring relief immediately:

Sit up or elevate your upper body: Sitting up or propping yourself upright during and after eating can help reduce the amount of acid that backs up into your esophagus. A wedge pillow or an adjustable bed may also help.

Sit up for a while: If you experience acid reflux after eating, sitting up or going for a short walk between dinner and bedtime may help your body to digest food and reduce the risk of reflux.

Sip some water: Drinking a little water can help reduce acid, but avoid drinking large amounts right before bedtime.

Consider some over-the-counter options: Antacids and acid reducers may offer temporary relief, but consult your doctor if you use them frequently.

How Do You Cure Acid Reflux?

Steer clear of trigger foods: Spicy, fatty, fried and acidic or citrus-containing foods and drinks, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol (especially before bedtime), can all make exercise-induced acid reflux worse at night. 

Hold off on lying down:Don’t lie down for a minimum of 2–3 hours following a meal to allow time for your body to digest.

Lose weight: Excess pounds take a toll on your waistline, where they press on your stomach and cause acid to have to slosh its way up the esophagus.

Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol: Smoking and drinking relax the LES, drying digestion time. These are the lifestyle habits that often make the most difference in long-term relief.

What is the Best Sleep Position for Acid Reflux?

Sleep on your left: Sleeping on your side cuts down on acid backing up into the esophagus, and it can also help to keep your body positiioned in a way that can prevent pressure from building up due to SG.

Raise your head and upper body: If you raise the head of your bed 6–8 inches, or sleep with a wedge pillow, it can help leverage gravity to keep acid down.

Avoid flat on your back: Lying down in a flat position can exacerbate reflux as it removes gravity’s help from keeping food where it belongs. lots of people actually function much better on their sides or at a low angle.

Is Acid Reflux or GERD Lifelong?

No, acid reflux itself, even frequent heartburn, isn’t life-threatening for most people. But when that hasn’t been treated, chronic reflux can set the stage for more serious problems.

Chronic irritation of the esophagus can cause inflammation, narrowing or lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which carries increased risk for esophageal cancer.

If symptoms are frequent, severe or upsetting enough to interfere with sleep and daily life, it is important to be evaluated. Your doctor can help you keep symptoms under control and watch for any complications that require closer attention.

How Many Years Can You Live with Acid Reflux?

In most people with acid reflux, no further health issues are encountered and they have a normal lifespan with accurate management. Acid reflux is very common and, when treated with certain lifestyle changes and medications if necessary, doesn’t shorten life expectancy on its own.

By keeping track of symptoms, seeing a doctor regularly to check in, and tweaking diet, sleep and other triggers, symptoms can be kept at bay for many decades.

Bottom Line

Acid reflux is a very common problem that people have, not just in bed at night when you are lying flat; this may exacerbate your symptoms. It can feel like burning, send something bubbling up in your chest or throat, and, for a few people, radiate extreme heat down the midsection to cause a violent episode of vomiting.

The good news is that simple lifestyle changes can help you avoid the fiery sensation of heartburn, including avoiding trigger foods and adjusting your sleep position. If you have chronic reflux that also should not be ignored, but with the right care and advice from a physician, it can definitely be managed so you feel comfortable all day and through the night.