Lying Down After Eating a Big Meal
Some people avoid eating large meals, but more people are not that conscious. More people today, for example, lead busy lives, and their workday does not end at five in the afternoon. In addition, with the work-from-home scheme, people tend to work beyond the regular hours and often eat late, especially in the evenings.
Having a large meal at any time of the day can start acid reflux. But the probability becomes higher if someone decides to lie down on the couch or go to bed after a meal. The acid reflux occurs due to gravity. According to experts, the condition occurs because the stomach is full, and the prone position allows the acid to go back into the esophagus. The large meal overpowers the esophageal barrier, increasing the exposure to acid.
Healthcare providers recommend eating several smaller meals daily rather than three or four large meals. To prevent acid reflux, avoid lying down right after eating. Instead, wait for two to three hours before lying down. If it is unavoidable due to some physical problems, people should try to raise the head of their bed or have more pillows behind the head and upper body to counter gravity.
