Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisPreventionTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
When to See a Provider
Diagnosis
Prevention
Treatment
Waking up with heartburn in the middle of the night or in the morning is common during pregnancy and after drinking alcohol.But “riser’s reflux” can also be a sign of a health condition likegastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD) andhiatal hernia. Some simple steps, such as having your last meal of the day three hours before bedtime, can help prevent heartburn when you wake up.
Occasional heartburn is normal. However, if you’re frequently waking up with heartburn, you may havegastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition. Although GERD is a common reason for waking up with heartburn, there are other possible causes of this condition.
Factors that may contribute to frequent heartburn include:
The Sleep and Heartburn ConnectionResearch suggests there’s a relationship between sleep disorders like insomnia and an increased risk of acid reflux.A study of 6,939 people found those who woke up less often during the night were about 50% less likely to experience heartburn than those with disrupted sleep.
The Sleep and Heartburn Connection
Research suggests there’s a relationship between sleep disorders like insomnia and an increased risk of acid reflux.A study of 6,939 people found those who woke up less often during the night were about 50% less likely to experience heartburn than those with disrupted sleep.
Somesymptoms of heartburninclude:
When you experience constant symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If heartburn persists long-term, it can lead to breathing problems, inflammation, and a narrowing of the esophagus. You should see a healthcare provider if lifestyle changes don’t help or your symptoms continue despite taking over-the-counter antacids.
Other symptoms that need diagnosis include:
Tell your healthcare provider when and how you experience symptoms. It may be helpful to keep a journal of symptoms that awake you at night or occur after eating certain foods.
Heartburn Vs. Heart Attack
Get immediate, emergency medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
Your healthcare provider can diagnose your heartburn and related conditions based on the following:
Making a few of these lifestyle changes can reduce your likelihood of waking up with heartburn:
Does Drinking Water Help Heartburn?Staying hydrated helps with overall digestion. However, drinking large amounts of water at once can make heartburn worse. It’s best to drink small amounts throughout the day and avoid sparkling water, since carbonated drinks may trigger heartburn.
Does Drinking Water Help Heartburn?
Staying hydrated helps with overall digestion. However, drinking large amounts of water at once can make heartburn worse. It’s best to drink small amounts throughout the day and avoid sparkling water, since carbonated drinks may trigger heartburn.
Treatments
There are many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications for heartburn.Be sure to go over the risks and benefits of the medication you plan on taking with your healthcare provider.
Treatments for heartburn include:
If medication and lifestyle changes don’t help your heartburn, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to strengthen the valve between the esophagus and stomach.
Summary
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCSF Health.Heartburn diagnosis.National Library of Medicine.Heartburn.Qin S, Wang C, Wang X, Wu W, Liu C.Causal association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related phenotypes: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.Front Neurol. 2023 Nov 29;14:1283286. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283286.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of GER & GERD.American Heart Association.Heartburn or Heart Attack?Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCSF Health.Heartburn diagnosis.National Library of Medicine.Heartburn.Qin S, Wang C, Wang X, Wu W, Liu C.Causal association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related phenotypes: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.Front Neurol. 2023 Nov 29;14:1283286. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283286.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of GER & GERD.American Heart Association.Heartburn or Heart Attack?Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UCSF Health.Heartburn diagnosis.National Library of Medicine.Heartburn.Qin S, Wang C, Wang X, Wu W, Liu C.Causal association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related phenotypes: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.Front Neurol. 2023 Nov 29;14:1283286. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283286.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of GER & GERD.American Heart Association.Heartburn or Heart Attack?Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.
UCSF Health.Heartburn diagnosis.
National Library of Medicine.Heartburn.
Qin S, Wang C, Wang X, Wu W, Liu C.Causal association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related phenotypes: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.Front Neurol. 2023 Nov 29;14:1283286. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283286.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of GER & GERD.
American Heart Association.Heartburn or Heart Attack?
Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.
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