Sleeping on the left side can help reduce heartburn symptoms. This is because the esophagus is located in the center of the body, but the stomach is a curved organ with the majority of its volume in the left side of the upper abdomen. Therefore, sleeping on the left side can greatly reduce reflux. On the other hand, sleeping on the right side or on your back can make reflux worse. This is because without the aid of gravity, it is much easier for stomach contents to spill through the malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and flow into the esophagus.

In addition to sleeping on the left side, there are other tips to help alleviate heartburn symptoms at night, such as elevating the head section of the bed by about six inches. This can be achieved by raising the right section of your bed, not by stacking up the pillows, which can lead to back or neck pain and could increase pressure on the stomach. It is also recommended to avoid meals close to bedtime, lose weight if necessary, and avoid foods that trigger heartburn.