Nexium Control Heartburn Factsheet
Date of preparation: 16th February 2015
NEXIUM CONTROL – SLEEP AND HEARTBURN FACT SHEET
Why is heartburn experienced at night?
The discomfort of heartburn can often be disruptive to sleep causing a significant impact on people’s
quality of life, especially for those who suffer from frequent heartburn where it is occurring two
times per week or more.1
Three out of four frequent heartburn sufferers report that heartburn interferes with their sleep,
negatively impacting mood and daily function2, and unfortunately many of the mechanisms of sleep
can actually make heartburn more likely:
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Lying down: When sitting or standing, gravity helps keep gastric acid in the stomach. When
lying flat however, it's much easier for stomach acid to backflow into the oesophagus. Once
in the oesophagus, it can stay there for much longer than during the day.
Suppressed swallowing: When awake it is a natural reaction to swallow whenever acid
begins to reflux. This pushes the acid back down into the stomach. When sleeping however,
the swallowing impulse is suppressed. Swallowing saliva (which contains bicarbonate) also
helps to neutralise stomach acid.
How can night-time heartburn be avoided?
Helen Boardman, a pharmacist and lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Nottingham University, provides
ten simple steps that can be taken to reduce the occurrence of night-time heartburn.3
1. Sleep on your left side
This is the position that has been found to best reduce acid reflux. Sleeping on the right side also
seems to prompt relaxation of the sphincter (the tight ring of muscle connecting the stomach
and oesophagus) that normally defends against reflux.
2. Sleep with your upper body elevated
Lying down can enable the entry of acid into the oesophagus so many people find their
heartburn is worse at night. Try raising the head of your bed approximately 15 cm (6 inches)
with some books or blocks. You can also try a wedge pillow.
3. Wait for two to three hours after you eat before going to bed
This gives your stomach a chance to process your meal and move it through your digestive
system. Your stomach will then be empty and less likely to reflux when you lie down. Eating a
smaller and lighter dinner is also a good idea if night time heartburn is a regular annoyance.
4. Watch your weight
If you’re overweight, losing excess pounds can help relieve your symptoms.
5. Wear loose-fitting pyjamas
Tight clothes, especially near your waist, can put pressure on your stomach, leading to heartburn
symptoms.
6. Slow down and relax at dinner time
Eating too much, too quickly, can increase heartburn so take your time eating and enjoy
mealtimes. Feeling stressed or rushed when you eat can also cause the stomach to produce
more stomach acids.
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Nexium Control Heartburn Factsheet
7. Know your triggers
Using a diary to keep track of when heartburn hits can help you understand what’s aggravating
your heartburn symptoms.
8. Quit smoking
Cigarettes can make heartburn even more painful. Not only can cigarette smoke irritate your
food pipe, it also relaxes the oesophageal muscles which keep stomach acid where it belongs.
9. Get moving
Taking regular exercise can often help (though certain abdominal exercises like stomach
crunches can push acid out of the stomach, causing heartburn). It’s best to wait at least two
hours after a meal before exercising.
10. Try a PPI medicine
There are a broad range of OTC treatment options available. Antacids and alginates offer
temporary relief from symptoms. If you are a frequent heartburn sufferer and want more
sustained relief, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may help. It targets heartburn at its source by
blocking acid production in the stomach and so can provide relief of symptoms through the day
and night.
Fast facts
 Night-time heartburn affects 3 out of 4 people who suffer frequent heartburn and reflux2
 Many people wake up several times during the night because of pain and burning in their food
pipe (oesophagus)4
 Interrupted sleep, caused by heartburn can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of
life2
 Night-time heartburn tends to leave acid in the oesophagus for longer, and therefore may cause
more damage than daytime heartburn5
 With just one Nexium Control® a day, 8 out of 10 frequent sufferers experienced meaningful
improvement in their heartburn symptoms within one week and 4 out of 5 nights were
heartburn free 6.
Nexium Control® 20mg gastro-resistant tablets for the short-term treatment of reflux symptoms
(e.g. heartburn and acid regurgitation) in adults. Active ingredient: Esomeprazole. Always read the
leaflet.
Nexium Control® is available in packs of 7’s and 14’s at a RRP of £6.99 and £11.99 respectively. It is
available in supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide. If symptoms persist or worsen after 14-days
treatment, people should see a GP for further advice.
ENDS
Press enquiries:
Email:
Issued by:
On behalf of:
Luke Hopkins (01273 712023) or Laura Cook (01273 712064)
lhopkins@thisispegasus.co.uk or lcook@thisispegasus.co.uk
Pegasus
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare
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Nexium Control Heartburn Factsheet
Notes to editors:
When to see a doctor with frequent heartburn
Those taking Nexium Control® should see a doctor if symptoms worsen or do not improve after taking the medication for
14 days in a row. In addition those who experience unintentional weight loss, long-term or bloody vomiting, or tarry stools,
those who regularly take painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs and those with a history of gastric or duodenal ulcers, or
renal or hepatic impairment should see their doctor.
People are also advised to visit a pharmacist or GP if:
They are taking any medications listed in the Nexium Control® package leaflet
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.29819.latest.pdf
They are over the age of 55 and have new or recently change acid reflux symptoms
– available:
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References
1 Data
on file. Forbes Consulting Group Usage and Attitude Study 2013.
C et al. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161:45-52.
3 Web MD. Tips for sleep without heartburn http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/features/tips-for-sleep-withoutheartburn. Accessed February 2015.. 4 PubMed Factsheet on Heartburn.
2 Farup
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0048152/?report=printable Accessed February 2015.
5
Web MD. The special risks of night-time heartburn. http://www.webmd.boots.com/heartburn-gord/guide/special-risks-of-nighttimeheartburn. Accessed February 2015.
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Nexium Control Summary of Product Characteristics
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