Symptoms of acid reflux at night

Symptoms often follow an evening meal or worsen after lying down. Some people have throat or breathing-related complaints without obvious burning, but these symptoms also have other possible causes.

Typical oesophageal symptoms are a burning feeling behind the breastbone and liquid or food rising toward the throat. A bitter or acidic taste, burping and upper abdominal discomfort may accompany them. Symptoms that start after lying flat and improve on sitting up fit a reflux pattern.

Reflux reaching higher can irritate the throat and voice box, presenting with hoarseness, throat clearing, a dry cough or a sensation of a lump in the throat. It may wake you suddenly or leave an unpleasant taste in the morning. Cough and poor sleep alone do not establish reflux, so persistent symptoms warrant a broader assessment.

For several evenings, record meal content and timing, bedtime, sleep position, symptoms and any remedy used. This can reveal whether large portions, late eating, alcohol, caffeine or specific rich, fatty or spicy foods repeatedly precede an episode.

Allow several hours between eating and lying down, remain upright after dinner and raise the upper torso with a wedge or by elevating the bed head. The left side may be more comfortable for some people. Ask a pharmacist about a suitable short-term medicine if lifestyle measures are not enough.

Arrange an appointment for frequent night waking, persistent hoarseness or cough, regular regurgitation, painful swallowing, food sticking, repeated vomiting, unexplained weight loss or symptoms continuing despite correct non-prescription treatment. The clinician may review medicines and consider oesophageal, respiratory and other causes.

Call emergency services for vomiting blood, black tar-like stool, severe shortness of breath, fainting or chest pressure with sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the jaw, arm or back. Heart-related pain can resemble heartburn, so do not rely on location or an antacid response to distinguish it.

Explain whether the main symptom is burning, regurgitation, cough, choking, hoarseness or sleep disruption, and when it occurs relative to meals and lying down. Ask whether your medicines could contribute and whether persistent throat or breathing symptoms require evaluation beyond reflux treatment.