Heartburn Pillow

Those suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD are often looking for solutions to end the nighttime burning sensation that can come with lying down for an extended period of time. While some may try sleeping propped up on regular bed pillows, or may even resort to medication, there are simpler and more comprehensive solutions. 

Heartburn pillow systems, like the one available through MedCline, can help naturally relieve many of the most painful and uncomfortable effects of heartburn — as well as related issues, like reflux, coughing, and regurgitation. 

Laying down for an extended time, as one does when sleeping, can make many heartburn symptoms more intense and cause one to wake up in the middle of the night, leading to poor sleep. Using a pillow system specifically designed to target these symptoms is one of the most effective and comprehensive ways to alleviate nighttime pain and discomfort. Find out more about the MedCline heartburn and reflux pillow by reading through the informative post and FAQs below. 

• Symptoms of Heartburn and Reflux
• Benefits of Using a Heartburn Pillow
• Heartburn Pillow FAQs
• What is a Heartburn Pillow?
• How to Use a Heartburn Pillow?
• Where to Buy a Heartburn Pillow?
• Do Wedge Pillows Work for Heartburn?
• Say Goodnight to Heartburn for Good

Symptoms of Heartburn and Reflux

Before investing in a pillow for heartburn, it’s best to know what the symptoms of heartburn are and to be sure that your condition is simply heartburn and not a sign of something more serious. According to Mayo Clinic, heartburn is caused by stomach acid making its way up into your esophagus: the tube from your throat down to your stomach that food moves through after you swallow.¹

This movement of acid into the esophagus can cause feelings of acid reflux (a sour, burning feeling in the chest and throat) as well as heartburn. Common symptoms associated with heartburn include:

• Acid reflux
• Burning sensation in the chest that may worsen after eating or at night when lying down
• Bitter, acid taste in the mouth
• Discomfort when lying in certain positions
• Pain when consuming certain foods

It’s normal to experience acid reflux and heartburn from time to time. In fact, up to 60% of Americans experience it at some point or another during the year.²

This happens especially when eating foods that can trigger these symptoms. Such foods include:

• Caffeinated beverages like coffee and espresso 
• Carbonated beverages like soda and beer
• Heavily spiced or spicy foods
• Tomatoes and tomato sauces, including ketchup 
• Onions and garlic
• Greasy or oily food
• Mint and mint-flavored foods and candies
• Chocolate and chocolate-flavored desserts
• Citrus and citrus juices, like tangerines or lemonade
• Overeating any food

However, if symptoms persist more than twice a week, and do not respond to over-the-counter medication, it’s smart to schedule a visit with a doctor to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by anything more serious. 

Dietary changes, eating in moderation, and over-the-counter medication can do a lot to stop feelings of heartburn. Still, for many, symptoms may persist even when being cautious about diet — especially for those who struggle with GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can result in chronic heartburn and reflux. GERD can be a lifelong struggle, and often may require augmenting dietary changes with assistance in the evening to stop symptoms from getting worse while sleeping. 

That’s where a heartburn relief pillow can be especially effective. Heartburn and acid reflux relief pillows have a number of benefits that are worth considering if you struggle with these symptoms. 

Benefits of Using a Heartburn Pillow

MedCline’s heartburn and acid reflux relief system is specially designed to relieve nighttime heartburn and reflux symptoms for a better night’s sleep. The Cleveland Clinic has reported on a study which found that sleeping with a reflux pillow can have significant benefits for those who suffer from reflux and heartburn.³  These include:

• Diminished reflux and regurgitation symptoms, even in cases where typical medications were ineffective 
• Diminished heartburn over a two week period
• A better night’s sleep, resulting in a better overall daily attitude 
• Some who considered surgery say the pillow has allowed them to no longer need it, at least for the time being

MedCline’s specially designed reflux and heartburn pillow system is especially effective in providing these benefits. By allowing you to relax comfortably on your side, which is one of the most effective ways to reduce heartburn symptoms while sleeping, the heartburn pillow allows you to have a full night of sleep without waking up every few hours to pain, discomfort, and a sour taste in your mouth. 

Before you invest in one of our heartburn and reflux relief systems, read through the MedCline FAQ, including those we’ve curated below. 

Heartburn Pillow FAQs

What is a Heartburn Pillow?

A pillow for heartburn is a specially designed pillow made to alleviate the symptoms commonly associated with heartburn, including the burning sensation in the chest, acid reflux in the esophagus, regurgitation, nausea, sour and bitter taste in the mouth, and poor sleep. 

While a variety of manufacturers produce pillows for heartburn, including simple wedge pillows, MedCline is the only company devoted to making acid reflux relief systems that comprehensively alleviate heartburn symptoms all night long. In fact, MedCline’s heartburn pillow system reduces harmful acid exposure 87% more than a typical bed wedge. 

That’s thanks to the Reflux Relief System’s innovative set of features:

• The Reflux Relief Wedge keeps your body in place, and allows you to rest comfortably on your left side — a helpful position to sleep in for those suffering from GERD, heartburn, and acid reflux.

• An Insert Pillow rests within the Reflux Relief Wedge, allowing you to rest your shoulder on the wedge and lay your arm below it, and provides added stability and support for a full night’s sleep. (If you primarily need shoulder support, consider our Shoulder Relief System.)

• An added cozy Therapeutic Body Pillow is perfectly made for those who use a pillow to cuddle with through the night, and can add support for your shoulder, knees, and arm while sleeping on your side. The body pillow also prevents you from rolling to your back during the night, which can aggravate reflux symptoms. 

How to Use a Heartburn Pillow?

Using the MedCline Reflux Relief System to alleviate nightly heartburn symptoms is simple, comfortable, and intuitive. Here’s how it works:

1. First, set the system up on your bed. Lay the flat portion of the Reflux Relief Wedge down on your bed. The system takes up about ½ the width of a queen size bed, and is specially designed not to disrupt your sleep partner. Setup is simple and should only take a few minutes.
2. Next, get into the Reflux Relief System. Lay on your side, putting your arm through the hole in the Reflux Relief Wedge. You can move the Insert Pillow around in the arm pocket of the Reflux Relief Wedge to find what’s most comfortable for your shoulder. Your arm should rest gently onto the bed surface, taking pressure off your shoulder and allowing you to lay on your side without any discomfort. The Therapeutic Body Pillow provides additional comfort for the arm that is not below you; you can also place the body pillow between your knees to  take pressure off your lower back. 
3. Lastly, settle into a comfortable position.For some users, the MedCline Reflux Relief System provides immediate comfort. For others, it may take time for the comfort foam to mold to their body shape and provide the perfect restful position.

Once you’ve settled into a new sleep routine and have found the most comfortable position in the Reflux Relief System, you will experience reduced acid reflux and heartburn symptoms, and have a better night’s sleep.

Where to Buy a Heartburn Pillow?

You can purchase a heartburn pillow directly from MedCline’s website. When you purchase through MedCline, you get access to an advanced and cutting edge reflux relief system. Simply choose your size — a handy height guide is included when selecting the size of pillow you intend to purchase — and order. 

While pillows for heartburn are widely available on the internet, few are clinically tested, and even fewer can provide the data-backed results offered by the MedCline Reflux Relief System. The design of our pillows is based on doctor-recommended measurements, including 15-20 degree torso elevation, which provides an ideal combination of support and relief.

Do Wedge Pillows Work for Heartburn?

Wedge pillows for heartburn can be an effective way to manage symptoms, like acid reflux, regurgitation, and other associated symptoms that can worsen at night. Not all wedge pillows are equal, however. 

Up to 95% of users reported improved symptoms and sleep when using the MedCline Reflux Relief System. 

Though other, more mediocre heartburn wedge pillows are available on the market and on the internet, MedCline is the brand that is diligent about backing up claims with scientifically-studied results. 

Say Goodnight to Heartburn for Good

Heartburn can be one of the most uncomfortable chronic conditions to deal with night after night. And, in addition to the pain and discomfort of the condition itself, restless sleep can have its own set of unhealthy side-effects. 

Stop nightly heartburn in its tracks with a MedCline Reflux Relief System. Engineered to provide rapid and consistent relief, you’ll likely wonder why you didn’t simply purchase one sooner. For more information, navigate to the full MedCline FAQ page. You can also reach out to our team of MedCline Sleep Specialists at 800-610-1607, as well as via email at support@medcline.com.

References

1. “Heartburn: Symptoms & Causes,” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20373223, accessed July 2020
2. Zhau, Yafu & Encinosa, William, “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Hospitalizations in 1998 and 2005,” Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb44.pdf, January 2008, accessed July 2020
3. “Can a Specially Designed Body Pillow Prevent Your Acid Reflux?,” Cleveland Clinic, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-a-specially-designed-body-pillow-prevent-your-acid-reflux/, accessed July 2020