Discomfort at Night
Due to the lack of a food “buffer,” the abdominal discomfort associated with ulcers often occurs many hours after a meal, usually in the middle of the night. Because these acids accumulate mostly after meals, bedtime eating might aggravate gastrointestinal distress. Similarly, getting enough sleep is essential for gastrointestinal health. Insomnia due to stomach ulcers may worsen the condition and vice versa. People who slept for nine hours or more per night were reported to have reduced risks of stomach ulcers than those who only slept for seven hours per night. This supports the evidence that sleep helps mitigate the effects of stomach ulcers.
Symptoms may improve if one refrains from eating or snacking late at night. Moreover, sleeping in an upright posture, which employs gravity to assist in regulating the passage of stomach acids, may provide some comfort. Lying on the left side helps speed up the passage of stomach contents into the remainder of the digestive system, which may help alleviate some of the pain caused by the condition. Some people get relief by eating certain foods or using medications to reduce stomach acid at night. In addition, adopting certain lifestyle adjustments could help prevent recurrent stomach ulcers or speed up the healing process.
