What helps with acid reflux at night?

Nighttime reflux is mostly mechanical: lying flat lets stomach acid wash up the esophagus, so the fixes start with position. Raise the head of your bed 10 to 20 cm with blocks under the legs or a wedge pillow (extra pillows just bend your neck and can make it worse). Stop eating 2 to 3 hours before bed, and make dinner the lighter meal. Sleep on your left side - stomach anatomy means left-side lying keeps the acid pocket below the valve, while right-side lying invites it up. Cut the evening triggers: fatty or spicy food, chocolate, mint, caffeine, and alcohol - alcohol both relaxes the valve and sedates you into sleeping through the burn, which is when damage happens. Weight loss helps meaningfully if relevant; tight waistbands and late smoking do not. For occasional nights, pharmacy antacids or alginate (which forms a raft on top of stomach contents) work fast; regular night reflux may suit a two-week pharmacy course of a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole. The red line: night reflux several times a week, trouble swallowing, food sticking, vomiting blood or black stools, chest pain, or unintentional weight loss means see a doctor - that pattern needs investigation, not more antacids. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you sort the pattern.