Nighttime is when may people suffer their worst attacks of heartburn. Fortunately, there are a number of basic but effective things you can do to prevent nighttime heartburn, so that you can enjoy a restful nights sleep. This is important because If you are losing sleep on a regular basis then this could increase the stress in your life, which itself is known to be an indirect cause of heartburn. A kind of vicious circle develops.

As most causes of heartburn are related to diet and lifestyle, then this where we need to look. Considering What, When and How you eat and making some basic changes, can have a dramatic effect on nighttime heartburn and the following are highly recommended.

•    Obviously you should avoid those foods and drinks that are known to cause heartburn such as – fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, garlic, black pepper, raw onions, chocolate, peppermint, citrus fruits and juices, coffee, alcoholic and carbonated beverages. If you must have sweet after your meal then avoid one that contains chocolate.

•    Try not to make the final meal of the day a large one, make lunch the main meal instead. Even better, eat smaller meals regularly throughout the day. This will help to reduce the amount of food in your stomach and the quantity acid that is produced..•    Eat your last meal at least three hours before you go to bed. Then avoid eating snacks, which will only raise levels of stomach acid.

•    Eating more slowly and chewing well will help to ease the digestive process.

Apart from changes to your eating habits there are a number of other things you can do to prevent nighttime heartburn which are simple but effective.

•    Do not lie down after eating, to watch TV for example, as this makes it easier for the contents of a full stomach to flow back into your esophagus.

•    Avoid that late night alcoholic drink.

•    DON’T SMOKE.

•    Sleeping with your head and shoulders raised will help gravity retain your stomach contents in your stomach. Raising the head of your bed on blocks will work. Alternatively use a specially designed wedge shaped pillow.

•    It is also recommended that you sleep on your left side as this apparently helps digestion and the removal of stomach acid.

•    Finally, have a supply of antacids to hand which will bring the quickest relief should you suffer an occasional bout of nighttime heartburn.

Getting a good night’s sleep is a pleasure as well as essential for your health and wellbeing. Applying as many of the above measures will certainly help to prevent nighttime heartburn attacks so that you can enjoy the benefits that restful sleep will bring.

Once you have discovered how simple natural remedies can have a major impact on your heartburn, you might then want to consider what further steps you can take, which could significantly reduce your heartburn and even eliminate heartburn permanently.