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Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Eating

By , About.com Guide

Updated November 26, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the LES, which tends to relax when a person lays down, causing an increased chance of refluxed food.

Nearly 50 million people suffer with nighttime heartburn at least once a week. That's a lot of people and a lot of heartburn. It also accounts for many hours of lost sleep that could result in an inability to perform adequately at work the next day.

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