…frequent issues with acid reflux or nighttime heartburn.
Anatomically, your stomach sits on the left side of your abdomen, and the junction where your esophagus connects to your stomach lies below the level of gastric acid when you lie on your left side. Gravity helps keep stomach acid contained.
When you sleep exclusively on your right side, that junction is positioned above the level of stomach acid, making it much easier for acid to slip past the lower esophageal sphincter and flow into your esophagus, triggering heartburn, a sour taste, or nighttime coughing.
If you prefer sleeping on your right side or find that switching to your left side is difficult, you can counteract this effect by:
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Elevating your upper body: Using a wedge pillow or raising the head of your bed by 6 inches so gravity works in your favor.
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Watching your evening timing: Avoiding heavy, greasy, spicy, or acidic meals, as well as alcohol or caffeine, within 3 hours of lying down.
