Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 5/6/2025

What Could Cause Both Stomach and Chest Pain at Night?

Both chest and stomach pain at night may be caused by issues such as acid reflux (GERD), esophageal muscle problems, or even conditions that mimic reflux symptoms like asthma.

answer background

Explanation

When you experience pain in your chest and stomach at night, one common possibility is acid reflux. This is when stomach acid leaks into the esophagus, causing a burning feeling that can spread from your stomach upward into your chest. Lying down can make this worse because gravity isn’t keeping the acid in place. Along with reflux, problems with the muscles of the esophagus—known as motility disorders—might cause abnormal contractions. These can lead to discomfort in both the chest and upper stomach area. In some cases, symptoms such as belching, regurgitation, or chest tightness might be confused with asthma symptoms because both can involve sensations of tightness or difficulty breathing. This overlap was noted in research that looked into how typical reflux symptoms might mimic those seen in asthma. It’s important to remember that different problems can lead to similar discomfort. Often, doctors consider these various possibilities based on your specific symptoms and medical history to understand what might be causing the pain at night.

(References)

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK416/
  • Bennett J. ABC of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Oesophagus: Atypical chest pain and motility disorders. BMJ. 2001 Oct 6;323(7316):791-4. doi: 10.1136/bmj.323.7316.791. PMID: 11588085; PMCID: PMC1121339.

  • Zhang JX, Zhan XB, Bai C, Li Q. Belching, regurgitation, chest tightness and dyspnea: not gastroesophageal reflux disease but asthma. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Feb 7;21(5):1680-3. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i5.1680. PMID: 25663791; PMCID: PMC4316114.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Chest pain

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.