

You can also try adding a cooling pillowcase. However, some types of memory foam are made with gel to help reduce heat buildup. Memory foam can trap body heat and become uncomfortable. Memory foam is the most popular material for wedge pillows because it withstands weight while maintaining its shape. Contour wedge pillowsĬurved for comfort, these wedge pillows are most popular with side sleepers to aid in spinal alignment. Some may come equipped with straps to prevent sliding during sleep. These pillows are typically triangular with a flat bottom that lies flush against your mattress. Some of the most popular wedge pillows include: Flat-bottomed wedge pillows They vary in shape, material, and purpose. Some - including postmenopausal estrogen, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory painkillers - can relax the sphincter, while others - particularly bisphosphonates like alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), or risedronate (Actonel), which are taken to increase bone density - can irritate the esophagus.There are several types of wedge pillows. Nicotine may relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Increased weight spreads the muscular structure that supports the lower esophageal sphincter, decreasing the pressure that holds the sphincter closed. They won't provide the uniform support you need. Don't try to create a wedge by stacking pillows. If your sleeping partner objects to this change, try using a foam wedge support for your upper body. You can achieve this by using extra-tall bed risers on the legs supporting the head of your bed. Ideally, your head should be six to eight inches higher than your feet. An after-dinner stroll is fine, but a more strenuous workout, especially if it involves bending over, can send acid into your esophagus. Don't move too fastĪvoid vigorous exercise for a couple of hours after eating. This means no naps right after lunch, and no late suppers or midnight snacks. Finish eating three hours before you go to bed. When you're standing, or even sitting, gravity alone helps keeps acid in the stomach, where it belongs. Drink flat water instead of sparkling water.

They make you burp, which sends acid into the esophagus. The Foodicine Health website at has diet tips for people with acid reflux and GERD, as well as for other gastrointestinal disorders. If you eat any of these foods regularly, you might try eliminating them to see if doing so controls your reflux, and then try adding them back one by one.

We've evolved from the days when you couldn't eat anything.īut there are still some foods that are more likely than others to trigger reflux, including: People with acid reflux were once instructed to eliminate all but the blandest foods from their diets. If it fits into your schedule, you may want to try what is sometimes called "grazing" - eating small meals more frequently rather than three large meals daily. When the stomach is very full, there can be more reflux into the esophagus. If you've been having repeated episodes of heartburn - or any other symptoms of acid reflux - you might try the following: 1. However, many people can improve their symptoms of GERD through self-care and lifestyle changes. In some cases, you might need medicines or surgery. If not treated, GERD can lead to more serious health problems.

Three conditions - poor clearance of food or acid from the esophagus, too much acid in the stomach, and delayed stomach emptying - contribute to acid reflux.
