Which sleep position is the best to reduce acide reflux and prevent aspiration?

[olaf152]

I have had pretty bad reflux since the mid April 2014, I only started taking PPIs 3 days ago with Avamys (to reduce nasal inflammation due to acid reflux), I read that taking PPI increase the risk of getting pneumonia due to the increase in bacterias in your stomach because of a lowered acidity level. I was wondering any particular sleeping position is best to reduce acid reflux and aspiration? I have an adjustable bed.

[olaf152]

Thanks for the suggestion Selma, Ill make a list of foods that seem to make things worse.

[selmaS]

  Tomato sauce is acidic so yes for now cut it out...once u r feeling better u will be able to add it back but u may need to watch how often u partake of it.

The best way to know which foods are affecting u is to keep a food journal...and track what u eat and how u feel...remove it for a few days or until u feel ok and reintroduce it and see how u do...

We all have different foods that can trigger symptoms...so some foods that are safe for me, may not be for u as foods that affect me, may not trigger symptoms for u....so use a journal and keep track...and avoid those that trigger symptoms for u until u have this under control and even then only eat those items on occasion not as a staple.

[olaf152]

Also, I eat once a day mozzarella slices dipped in olive oil, should I scrap that too?

And its spicy foods really are "trigger foods", my acid reflux poblems started all because I ate a "zaatar pizza" in April 2014:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manakish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Za'atar

I was completly fine for more than two years prior to that.

[olaf152]

So about my diet, should I scrap the following:

Cheeses?
Pasta with tomato sauce?
Coriander?

[selmaS]

  The info from my Dr and many sources online is to avoid carbonated bevs....so it does not matter if it water or soda...carbonation it carbonation which can cause more gas.....

  Each brand of yogurt may have a different effect....but do read the info on this one- the brand name is *'d out...but you can look up the brand you eat.
******* actually knew about the affect of its yogurt:
******** claim that ******* speeds up "intestinal transit," is based on studies that only showed that in elderly subjects.
Two studies that purported to show ***** was helpful were not statistically significant compared to the placebo groups.
Six other studies failed to show a statistically significant improvement in transit time when **** was compared to a placebo.
"In truth and in fact, eating one serving of **** daily is not clinically proven to relieve temporary irregularity and help with slow intestinal transit time," the FTC said.
That's right: Studies of ******* generally show that it does absolutely nothing to help your digestive system. ****** is now banned from:
Claiming that one daily serving of ****** relieves irregularity, or helps people avoid catching colds or the flu.
It may not make any claims about regularity unless it has two properly designed clinical studies showing so.
And it can only advertise those claims if it also mentions that consumers must eat three servings of **** each day to obtain these benefits.

Some of the benefits of probiotics from yogurt were over stated...so do research and know what you have...as I said it may not be enuff.

[olaf152]

Hi Selma,

"carbonated drinks"

I drink a glass of carbonated natural mineral water once a day, is that alright?

"As for the probiotics, to get the same from yogurt u would need to eat 3 a day, not just one in the morning....it is a help, but may not be enuff."

3 per day? Oh thats way too expensive, the stuff I buy is like 6 bucks for 2 pots, but maybe one pot is enough? Here is the one I buy has in terms of good bacterias:

"There is in a pot between 40 to 100 billion live bacterias."

Should I eat yogurt during a meal or before one?


Hi Flycaster
"From experience, it is important to support the head of the bed in more than two locations."

I have an adjustable bed, anyway inclining the bed hurts my back and doesnt do much in terms of reflux.

[Flycaster305]

From experience, it is important to support the head of the bed in more than two locations.  Supports should be both at the head of the bed as well as halfway down and in the middle as well, otherwise your mattress will sag.  
I took PPI's for several years with zero side effects, certainly not pneumonia.  I had to have surgery to control my GERD about 6 years ago with great results, haven't taken an antacid since.  There are big scare stories online, be careful what you read.  

[selmaS]

  In addition to the above u should also have modified ur diet and lifestyle....if u smoke u should stop...try and relax as stress can trigger flares and avoid foods that will make u feel worse...greasy, spicy, acidic foods as well as carbonated drinks and caffeine.....

As for the probiotics, to get the same from yogurt u would need to eat 3 a day, not just one in the morning....it is a help, but may not be enuff.

Do u lay on ur side?...if so try ur left...and lower the bed if ur spine is being affected by the incline...not sure how or why that is an issue...but u may have something else going on there.

See the Health Pages for more tips that may help. http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

[olaf152]

Hi Selma,

"The levels of bacteria develop over long term prolonged use of PPI's...and this can re-balance out..."

Ill only be taking PPI for 6 weeks.


"Talk to ur Dr about using probiotics...."

No need to talk to the doctor, I ll just eat a yogurt every morning just to be on the safe side thanks.


"Sleeping with the head of the bed on an incline is best....so that ur entire body is on a incline not just ur toro."

I am actually aware of this, I have inclined the bed legs of the head area by almost 4 inches and been trying this since the beginning of May, but while it helps it doesnt really work and the biggest problem is that it messes up my spine!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

The levels of bacteria develop over long term prolonged use of PPI's...and this can re-balance out...

Talk to ur Dr about using probiotics....

Sleeping with the head of the bed on an incline is best....so that ur entire body is on a incline not just ur toro.