Published on: 5/6/2025
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.
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)
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.
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