Why Acid Indigestion Does more Damage at Night
Acid reflux is worse at night for four reasons.
First, the concentration of acid in the stomach is higher at night.
Second, while lying in bed (horizontal), it is easier for acid to reflux and to remain in the esophagus. Gravity does not take the acid back down into the stomach.
Third, while we are sleeping, we don’t swallow. Swallowing is important because it carries the acid that has refluxed into the esophagus back into the stomach. When we swallow we also carry saliva through the esophagus and into the stomach. Saliva contains bicarbonate, which neutralizes and counters the acid in the esophagus
And finally, when you are sleeping there is a decreased perception of heartburn due to the natural desensitizing process of sleep. This will lead to increased and prolonged exposure of the esophagus to acid reflux, often without patient arousal.
The MediWedge was designed by a professional in the bedding industry, who suffers from the impact of acid indigestion on his life. This patented product is a foam wedge that is placed between a mattress and a box spring in order to raise the head of a set of bedding in order to allow gravity to help keep acid in the stomach. The MediWedge is not a wedge pillow, but a wedge that is the same length and width as your mattress and elevates the entire mattress. This bed wedge system design lets you:
Sleep on your mattress.
Sleep in any position that you want.
Sleep with the pillows that you love.
Sleep with a medical device that has been clinically proven to help relive night time GERD symptoms.
For more information on this product, please visit www.mediwedge.com.