Stomach ulcers have a way of disrupting sleep and it affects millions of people around the globe. Being an open wound that forms in the lining of the stomach, an ulcer makes its patients very uncomfortable and can sometimes cause severe bleeding.
In this article, we will be explaining some ways on how to sleep with stomach ulcer without having to feel pain.
Studies reveal that if you can sleep for 9 hours or more every night, the level of the ulcer will reduce more than those that sleep for seven hours. With this, you can say that sleep has a way of reducing the level of ulcers.
Sleep, on the other hand, is important to keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy. Lack of sleep can make stomach ulcers get worst, and stomach ulcers can affect your sleep.
Therefore, it is necessary you read through this article to find out how to sleep with a stomach ulcer if you are suffering from it.
What is Stomach Ulcer
Ulcers are wounds that form on the stomach lining and in the duodenum, the first part of the intestine.
They are usually caused by non-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and can be increased through stress, medication, and food. Ulcer increases rapidly without treatment but is easy to diagnose.
The pains it brings cause discomfort and makes it almost impossible to have a good sleep. As you read through, you will find out how to sleep with stomach ulcers.
6 Ways on How to Sleep With Stomach Ulcer
Below are six ways on how to sleep with stomach ulcer without having to feel severe pains.
1. Use an Adjustable Bed to Find the Best Sleeping Position
A stomach ulcer has a way of making your relaxation at night difficult. Locations of stomach ulcers vary, so there are ways you can sleep if you have a stomach ulcer.
Depending on the area that best suits you, you can lie on your left or right side. Sleeping on your stomach can increase pain, so you can use an adjustable bed to help you.
An adjustable bed can help you find a comfortable and painless position to lie on. If an ulcer is a chronic issue for you, you will have to consider spending a reasonable amount on an adjustable bed.
An adjustable bed has other benefits like easing back pain and alleviating snoring so it is not a bad option to consider.
2. Avoid Trigger Foods Before Bed
This is an important factor to consider. Avoid foods that will likely increase the level of your stomach ulcer and cause pain, especially before bedtime, to reduce your sleep disturbances.
Your doctor must have given you a list of foods you will need to deal with and those you will abstain from. Strictly follow the list to have a better health condition.
Ulcers differ in type and have different ways of managing them. For instance, for patients with gastric ulcers, you will be asked to abstain from a food known to exacerbate acid reflux or indigestion, such as spicy foods such as cayenne and tabasco.
Spicy foods can cause heartburn in most people and may increase your metabolism because of your active ingredient.
Spices also have a way of increasing the body’s basal body temperature because they are termed thermogenic.
People respond differently to different food, so it could be difficult for you to figure out the kind of food that could trigger symptoms.
So it is best to maintain a food diary and track what kind of drinks and snacks you take.
3. Allow 3-4 Hours Between Your Last Meal and Bedtime
To feel more relaxed and comfortable at night, you are generally recommended to eat a light dinner 3 to 4 hours before bedtime.
If you are an ulcer patient suffering from an indigestion problem, also known as the peptic ulcers of the stomach or duodenum, you should avoid fatty foods or high-fat foods before bed.
Generally, having a high-fat dinner containing high protein just before bedtime can cause severe sleep disorders.
So it is best and recommended that while you work towards recovering from your stomach ulcer, you should try as much as possible to maintain a strict schedule for your meal.
As stated above, it is only appropriate to eat dinner, your last meal for the day, 3-4 hours before bedtime. So avoid having late meals as it is detrimental to your health.
4. Minimize Distractions Before Bed
If you want a good night’s sleep, especially when recovering from a stomach ulcer, then you have to minimize the rate of distraction and interruptions you get at night during your bedtime.
Some of these interruptions could be bright lights, noisy surfaces, use of much electrical equipment.
In other words, it is important you abstain from anything that makes you not sleep for at least a recommended time.
Some Ways to Avoid Disruptions During Bedtime Include;
i. Use Earphones
Some people find playing cool and low music exciting and the best way to avoid such distractions or interruptions.
You can use your earplugs to make it even more peaceful, or you can try to create a quiet space in your room free from unpleasant noise from noisy surfaces.
To get a night of good sleep, think of any means that make you ignore other interruptions and concentrate on your bedtime.
ii. Reduce the light and darken your bedroom
Bright lights have a way of interrupting your sleep badly. you can try using a dim light at night during your bedtime.
For some people, incorrect light can cause headaches so it is best you use dimmer lights at night.
Make sure the lights in your room are not too bright so you can catch a good sleep.
III. Reduce Electricity Devices
Scientists have proven that blue light emitted from electrical appliances causes low sleep quality.
It is best you limit the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and televisions before bedtime.
Turn the above-listed devices off before proceeding to bed. Turning these devices off can be a cool addition to your sleep hygiene.
5. Reduce Stress and Unhealthy Habits
Many scientists have proven that excessive stress and unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as drinking alcohol and smoking, can profoundly affect ulcerative colitis.
These sores in your stomach can increase as a result of drinking alcohol, smoking, and stress. If your stomach ulcer has been cured, you can get it back if you continue drinking and smoking.
One important factor you need to put into consideration is pressure. For example, some patients have complained that their ulcer symptoms increase when they are angry or in a depressed state.
Understandably, not all stress can be avoided, but you should try as much as you can to learn how to cope with it.
For example, you can choose to take on exercise, write daily, meditate and also spend time with your friends and families.
You must know that stress does not only affect your ill health but also your sleep and, as such, should be put in check.
6. Take Doctor-Prescribed Ulcer Medications
Your doctor will likely prescribe medications to reduce the pain and discomfort you feel and help you sleep well.
It is your duty to keep to them accurately if you want to feel better. Treatment of ulcers depends on the type and cause of the ulcer.
But generally, the purpose of the treatment will include limiting H-colonization. If present, Pylori bacterium eliminates your use of NSAIDs and speeds up the healing process of your stomach ulcer.
If you can follow your doctor’s prescription accordingly, the ulcers’ symptoms can be better controlled and, as such, helps you sleep better.
Some of the Treatments Include the Following;
i) Anti-biotics to Kill H.Pylori
If H. pylori cause your stomach ulcer, your doctor will prescribe some antimicrobials to kill the H. pylori, which is the course of the ulcer. some of the medications that the doctor will prescribe are,
- Amoxicillin
- Clarithromycin
- Tetracycline
- Levofloxacin
- Metronidazole
- Tinidazole.
ii) Medications to Prevent Gastric Acid Production
Proton pumps are usually medications used to treat this type of stomach ulcer.
Proton pump inhibitors inhibit the activity of part of the stomach cells responsible for producing hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The medications will include;
- omeprazole
- lansoprazole
- rabeprazole
- esomeprazole
- pantoprazole
This class of drugs will reduce the production of stomach acid to fight stomach ulcers.
The next class of drugs is called histamine (H-2) blockers. They reduce the amount of stomach acid released into the digestive tract. they include the following;
- Famotidine
- Cimetidine
- Ranitidine
iii) Medications to Reduce Stomach Acid
These drugs provide immediate pain relief. Depending on the drug composition, they have some slight side effects like constipation or diarrhea. They include;
- Antacids
- Anti-depressant drugs
Conclusion
Stomach ulcers can lead to severe problems if not treated immediately. Sleeping well is important and a great preventive tool for ulcers, which is we’ve highlighted some ways on how to sleep with stomach ulcer.
Hopefully, this article was helpful. If you have an opinion on how to sleep with stomach ulcer outside the above list, do well to drop it below in the comment section.
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