Stomach pain takes many forms and has multiple potential causes. It can cause discomfort throughout the day but often worsens at night. Knowing how to sleep with stomach pain will not only improve your sleep but also your overall digestive health.

Treat the Underlying Cause

The most important thing you can do to sleep better with stomach pain is to get treatment. Talk to your doctor about what the underlying issue might be and what you can do about it. Some common causes of nighttime stomach pains include:

• Gas
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Diverticulitis
• Stomach ulcer
• Heartburn and acid reflux
• Gallstones
• Celiac or Crohn’s disease
• Food intolerance

How to Sleep with a Stomach Ulcer

Ulcers are particularly painful, making sleep difficult. You need medical intervention for an ulcer to heal. If you have persistent stomach pain, see your doctor for medication treatment.

In the meantime, you can manage the pain of an ulcer and improve your sleep with some lifestyle changes. One of the most important things you can do isavoid eating close to bedtime. Your stomach makes acid in response to food, which will exacerbate the ulcer just as you’re trying to fall asleep. Avoid acidic foods and alcohol in particular.

Stress also exacerbates the pain of an ulcer. Take steps to reduce stress in your life in general and create a relaxing bedtime routine.Meditation at any time of day, but especially before bed, can help you manage stress and better cope with ulcer pain.

Support Healthy Digestion

If you don’t have any particular underlying condition causing your stomach pain, you can still take steps to manage it. Healthy habits that promote good digestion will reduce gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and other symptoms:

• Avoid certain foods and drinks within a few hours of bedtime. Those most likely to upset your stomach are fatty foods, caffeine, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, and foods that cause gas, like broccoli, beans, or cabbage.
• When you do eat in the evening, chew carefully and completely, and consider going out for a gentle walk afterward to aid digestion.
• If you tend to get heartburn, avoid acidic foods, peppermint, and garlic. Wear loose-fitting clothing and don’t go to bed or lie down right after eating.
• Try a tummy-soothing herbal tea before bed, like chamomile or ginger. Peppermint is good for indigestion but worsens heartburn.
• Try over-the-counter medications that target your specific symptoms.

Change Your Sleeping Position

How you sleep affects your digestive health. The best overall position to aid digestion is on your left side. This position uses gravity to help waste make its way through the digestive tract. Left side sleeping can also reduce heartburn because this keeps stomach acid lower in the esophagus.

The next best position is on your back with your head elevated. This promotes the passage of stomach acid through the digestive tract. It may help relieve some of the pain associated with heartburn or stomach ulcers.

Sleeping with stomach pain isn’t easy. For most stomach pains, preventative measures will help you sleep better. Avoiding irritating foods before bed might be all you need to do, but if pain persists, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.