Good sleeping position for people with gastritis

Sleeping position and daily activities have a great influence on the symptoms of stomach diseases. Choosing the right sleeping position can help reduce pain and limit problems such as belching and stomach cramps.

Lie so that the stomach is lower than the esophagus.

Doctor Le Nhat Duy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, said that the two lying positions that people with stomach diseases should practice are lying on their left side and lying on their back with their head elevated.

“Lying on the left side is the recommended sleeping position, bringing many benefits, because when the stomach is lower than the esophagus, it limits acid reflux. Lying on the left side also helps reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), supporting the movement of food through the digestive system, helping the digestive process to take place more smoothly, avoiding food stagnation, thereby reducing the risk of heartburn, bloating and abdominal discomfort,” said Dr. Nhat Duy.

Lying on your back with your head 20-30 cm higher than your body helps reduce stomach pain and esophageal reflux.

In addition, according to Dr. Duy, lying on your back with your head raised about 15-20 degrees on a pillow or on a bed headrest also helps keep the stomach lower than the esophagus, reducing pressure on the abdomen and reducing cramps.

Stress can aggravate stomach pain symptoms.

To reduce stomach pain symptoms, Dr. Nhat Duy said that in addition to choosing the right sleeping position, patients should apply the following healthy nutritional and living habits:

• Eat small, frequent meals: Eating too much can put pressure on your stomach, increasing your risk of reflux and stomach cramps. Instead, eat small meals, about 4-5 times a day.
• Avoid irritating foods: Avoid eating spicy, sour, greasy foods, caffeine or alcoholic beverages because they can irritate the stomach lining, causing or worsening reflux conditions.

Limiting spicy, sour, and hot foods is something that people with stomach problems need to pay attention to.

• Do not eat before going to bed: People with stomach problems should eat their last meal at least 2-3 hours before going to bed to give the stomach time to digest food.
• Stress control: Stress can aggravate stomach pain symptoms, so maintain a relaxed mindset and participate in relaxing activities such as yoga, meditation, jogging, etc.
• Avoid lying down immediately after eating: If you need to lie down after a meal, lie on your left side with your head elevated to reduce the risk of reflux.
• Drink enough water: Make sure to drink enough water to aid digestion, but avoid drinking too much water right before bed.
• Use medication as prescribed: If prescribed by a doctor, you should adhere to treatment medications such as gastric mucosal protective drugs and acid-reducing drugs. Avoid stopping medication on your own or taking non-prescription drugs.

Doctor Nhat Duy said that implementing the above measures will help patients reduce stomach pain symptoms, improve sleep quality during the cold season or even any other time of the year.

Meaning of stomach pain locations

According to Dr. Le Nhat Duy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, people with stomach pain can feel pain in many different locations such as the left abdomen, upper middle abdomen and spreading to the back.

This is due to many causes: Pain radiating to the left abdomen is often related to problems such as gastritis or stomach ulcers, and can also be due to the spleen; pain in the middle of the upper abdomen is directly related to the stomach, often seen in cases of ulcers, reflux or gastritis; and pain radiating to the back can be a sign of severe gastritis or complications of ulcers.

“Persistent pain, especially when it spreads to other areas such as the back or chest, can be a sign of dangerous complications such as perforated stomach ulcers or pancreatitis. Patients should see a doctor early if the pain does not subside or becomes worse,” said Dr. Nhat Duy.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tu-the-ngu-tot-cho-nguoi-benh-viem-da-day-185241122170935965.htm