Here’s one of the most effective and least expensive changes you can make. To understand it, imagine the anatomy of your stomach. It’s asymmetrical, shaped like a “J.” When you lie on your right side, the stomach sits above the esophagus. Gravity then pushes its contents directly against the sphincter. If the sphincter is already weakened, it opens. On the other hand, if you lie on your left side, the stomach sits below the esophagus. What happens then? A sort of safety pocket forms. The liquid stays at the bottom, and gas has much more difficulty rising.
So, what’s the solution? If you suffer from nighttime reflux or wake up with phlegm, and you can sleep comfortably on your left side, this is one of the most effective measures against the problem. But what if you can’t, due to shoulder or hip pain, or if you simply can’t maintain this position? There are effective alternatives. First, raise the head of your bed by about 15 cm (6 inches) using blocks placed under the headboard legs—not by piling on pillows. Second, don’t go to bed until two or three hours after dinner. Gravity is on your side; just use it to your advantage in whatever way works best for you.
4. Chemical saboteurs: the 4 elements that weaken your gastric valve
We’ve discussed physical pressure, but now let’s talk about chemical sabotage. Some substances don’t directly cause acidity, but they decrease the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve. If you want to strengthen this valve, it’s advisable to avoid four common relaxants for two to three weeks to observe your reactions.
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