You may have GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The main symptom is a "burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen" (see first link in sources). When the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly, the stomach contents can rise up into the esophagus causing pain as the acid burns the stomach. The esophagus is not protected to the effects of digestive acids like the stomach is. The reason why you do not experience this during the day is because you are sitting or standing up, and not lying down. The effects of gravity prevent the acid from coming up. Also, you are using swallowing your saliva during the day, and this also helps wash down any acid reflux during the day.

Possible causes of GERD include:
hiatal hernia
pregnancy
obesity
smoking

Possible cures for GERD:

stop smoking
avoid foods and beverages that worsen symptoms.
maintain a healthy weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
eat smaller more frequent meals.
wear loose-fitting clothes.
avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal.
raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by securing wood blocks under the bedposts. Just using extra pillows will not help.
medications, including antiacids and proton-pump inhibitors (the latter requires a prescription from your doctor or gastroenterologist.)

For me, I occasionally have GER (gastroesophageal reflux) at night, but only when I overeat late at night (like at a tempting all you can eat buffet), then drink a lot of citrus juice, and then go to sleep! So now I avoid doing this, and no longer have any problems, except when I forget, which is rare, because it is so uncomfortable and distressing. If I do overeat late at night, I work on Mahalo for a few hours before going to sleep!

Check the sources below for more information. Hope you feel better soon!

duenhsiyen
Source(s):
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease
http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/article.htm
http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/default.htm
http://medlineplus.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gerd.html


Permalink | Report