Yes. When you lie down after eating, stomach acid could rise and cause discomfort. This is more likely if you have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD is a digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid frequently travels back into your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach). The lining of your esophagus can be irritated by this acid reflux.
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Keep reading to learn more about indigestion and what you can do about it.
Indigestion is discomfort in your upper abdominal area. Also called dyspepsia, indigestion is a group of symptoms as opposed to a disease.
Although the experience can be different for different people, the symptoms of indigestion may include:
- a feeling of fullness soon after you begin a meal
- uncomfortable fullness after eating
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- gas
- nausea
Indigestion is commonly caused by:
- eating too quickly, not chewing thoroughly
- overeating
- fatty or greasy foods
- spicy foods
- caffeine
- carbonated beverages
- smoking
- alcohol
- anxiety
Other digestive conditions
Indigestion can sometimes be caused by other conditions, such as:
- peptic ulcers
- gastritis (stomach inflammation)
- gallstones
- constipation
- celiac disease
- pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation)
- intestinal ischemia (reduced blood flow in the intestine)
- stomach cancer
To ease your indigestion, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as:
- identifying and avoiding foods that trigger your indigestion
- reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol consumption
- replacing three large meals a day with five or six small ones
- managing your anxiety and stress
- exercising regularly
- maintaining your weight
- avoiding specific pain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve)
If your indigestion doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) antacids.
If your indigestion doesn’t respond to OTC antacids, your doctor may recommend:
Although there haven’t been many studies to support alternative medicine treatments, the Mayo Clinic suggests that indigestion may be eased by:
- acupuncture, which can block pain sensations to your brain
- herbal therapies, such as caraway and peppermint
- mindfulness meditation
- psychological treatment, including relaxation techniques, hypnotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy
If you experience postprandial hypotension, Harvard Medical School suggests lying down for an hour or so after eating.
What is postprandial hypotension?
During digestion, extra blood is routed to the stomach and small intestine. If your heart and blood vessels don’t compensate properly for this, blood pressure decreases everywhere but the digestive system.
This drop can result in lightheadedness or dizziness. It can also trigger:
- nausea
- fainting
- angina
Lying down after eating may cause indigestion due to the rise of stomach acid. If you have GERD, you should avoid lying down for 3 hours following meals.
On the other hand, if you have postprandial hypotension, which can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy after eating, you should consider lying down for an hour after eating.
If you often find yourself experiencing indigestion following meals, make an appointment with your doctor. They can recommend lifestyle changes or medications to treat and relieve your symptoms.
