Does elevating the bed head really work?

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gillyrosh

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So, two of my doctors (GP and allergist) said that my reflux could be helped considerably if I elevated the head of my bed. And I've read elsewhere about the benefits of this.

Has anyone here tried elevating the head of their bed to alleviate reflux symptoms? What's been your experience with this: has it helped, hurt or done nothing at all?

Thank you.

g
 
I used to occasionally wake up in the middle of the night gasping for breath. I thought this was related to sinus drainage or maybe even sleep apnea. I never suspected reflux, and I'm still not sure I reflux at night because I don't get heartburn and seem to also feel at my best when I first wake up in the morning. Anyway, I added an extra pillow to raise my chest/head up further and hopefully stop the gasping episodes, and this worked like a charm for me. I know, I know...the "textbook" answer is that you have to raise the entire head of your bed, not just your upper body, but I'm just telling you what works for me. I also bought a wedge pillow, but I'm not completely sold on it because I'm not a back sleeper and that is the only way you can comfortably sleep on a wedge pillow. When I try to turn over into a side position or stomach position at night, the wedge pillow semi-awakens me, ticks me off, and sometimes I end up throwing it overboard in the middle of the night. LOL I think it's a good option for a back sleeper tho' and I USUALLY try to be a good girl and use it (because we know that back sleeping is supposedly the best for your body).
 
Yes, it helps, particularly if you wake yourself up coughing or choking from refluxing while you sleep, or if your esophagus burns from the acid creeping up while you sleep.

I use a wedge pillow that I picked up at a local bed and bath store. It elevates my upper body about 8 inches and that seems to make a big difference for me. Elevating the bed would work too, though.
 
It definitely helps (although it really is important to raise the head of your bed. Using a pillow - even a wedge pillow - doesn't provide quite the same level of benefit).
 
Yes, but one must consider the tradeoRAB. If the husband is ticked off by sleeping on an incline, one must make do with a wedge pillow or go the route of separate beRAB. :nono:
 
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