Published on: 6/12/2025
What can cause waking up with heartburn in the middle of the night and how can it be managed?
Waking up with heartburn at night can be caused by eating too close to bedtime. To manage it, try eating earlier and consider medications like pantoprazole.
Explanation
Waking up with heartburn in the middle of the night can be uncomfortable. One reason this happens is if you eat too close to bedtime. When you lie down soon after eating, it can cause stomach acid to come up into your throat, leading to heartburn.
To manage nighttime heartburn, you can try a few things:
Eat Earlier: Try to have your dinner at least a few hours before you go to bed. This gives your body time to digest the food while you're still upright.
Medication: Medications like pantoprazole can help reduce stomach acid and may be helpful if you experience frequent heartburn at night.
These steps can help you feel better and get a good night's sleep. However, if you are experiencing chest pain or discomfort, no matter what time of day, seek immediate medical attention to rule out other dangerous causes.
(References)
- Kindt S, Imschoot J, & Tack J. (2011). Prevalence of and impact of pantoprazole on nocturnal .... Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, 21418126.
- Fujiwara Y, Machida A, Watanabe Y, Shiba M, Tominaga K, Watanabe T, et al. (2005). Association between dinner-to-bed time and gastro .... The American journal of gastroenterology, 16393212.
- Gallagher R, Lynch F, Paul G, Petkovski D, Kandl B, Lang S, et al. (2008). Chest symptoms following coronary stenting in the first 10 .... European journal of cardiovascular nursing, 17888741.
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