Upset stomach which side to lay on

Many of us actually already favor side sleeping. A study deduced we spend more than half of our time in bed in a side or fetal position. Just try to start out on your left side to pamper your gut. In addition, a prone position can take pressure off the shoulder or jaw and reduce tension headaches resulting from those areas.

Sleeping on your back may also reduce discomfort by lessening compression and pain from old injuries or other chronic conditions. Finding a comfortable position with any chronic pain condition can be a struggle. But starting out on your back with strategic, trial-and-error pillow support might help. Sleep on a wedge pillow or elevate the head of your bed 6 inches.

Lie with legs spread hip-width distance apart and your arms spread in a goalpost formation. Elevate your knees with a pillow. Side sleeping is the safest choice if you snore or have sleep apnea. But an elevation method could help with these conditions if you prefer sleeping on your back.

The only benefit to a downward-facing sleep position is that it may help keep your airways open if you snore or have sleep apnea. However, a side option is better. If you find it hard to minimize stomach sleeping, use a flat pillow or none at all. Tuck a pillow under your pelvis to help relieve pressure.

Always try to avoid sleeping on your stomach. All of this talk of sleep has probably made you feel ready for a nap. They may be able to recommend a sleep study or other helpful interventions. Jennifer Chesak is a Nashville-based freelance book editor and writing instructor. Lay on your left side. Keep laying there. It can take a few nights before you get used to something new, so be patient.

Even if you wake up in a different position, getting some time on the left will help your digestive tract to keep moving along. Sometimes, this inflammation is directly caused by something you ate, but it can also be triggered by a lack of sleep.

What a circle of fun. If sleeping on your left side causes pain or disrupts your sleep, that could cause poor digestion. One way to sleep peacefully and ease your troubled stomach is to sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs. Pick whichever side feels more comfortable. The pillow between your legs allows your spine to stay aligned. Instead of your hips and lower back getting pulled out of line, the pillow gives just enough height to keep your lower half in comfortable alignment.

Then, put a regular-sized pillow right between your knees. You should feel a bit of relaxation in the hips and lower back. Sleeping supine, or on your back as most normal people would say, is one of the best sleeping positions for pain. Though side sleeping is most popular for adults , it can cause shoulder or hip pain. When you sleep on your back, your weight is evenly distributed, giving your shoulders and hips a break.

Overall, sleeping on your back has the most benefits to your health. Your spine naturally stays aligned, so your muscles are more relaxed. Relaxation means less inflammation, which can lead to less discomfort.

Try a quick meditation as you go to sleep to help your muscles relax and adjust to the new position. Unfortunately, not all mattresses are created equal and sometimes the curve of your lower back can go unsupported, even in a simple supine position. To fix this, put a pillow under your knees. By raising the legs slightly, you flatten the curve in your lower back.

This puts less strain on your back and should make supine sleeping much more comfortable. With the lumbar region supported, you get all the benefits of back sleeping, including a happier tummy. To get in this position lay down on your back.

Then, put a pillow either directly under the knees or under the knees and thighs. Lay down again and make sure that all of your back lays flat against the mattress.

Sleep on your left side to improve your digestion. Because of the way your digestive system is arranged, turning onto your left side may help you digest your food more easily while you sleep. In addition, it can help reduce heartburn, so try rolling to that side the next time you're trying to sleep with a stomach ache.

Sleeping face-down can put extra pressure on your stomach, which might worsen your stomach pain. If you have stomach cramps, try drawing your knees up to your chest in the fetal position, which may help. Method 2. Drink a cup of warm herbal tea to soothe an upset stomach. Herbal teas like chamomile can be very helpful at easing stomach pain. Brew a cup and sip it slowly about 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed.

Sip water infused with ginger for a universal stomach cure. Peel about a 1 in 2. Allow it to steep for about 5 minutes. Then sip the water. The ginger-infused drink may help ease your stomach ache enough to help you get a good nights' sleep.

It's especially useful for nausea, but it can help with a variety of ailments. Most commercially-produced ginger ales don't contain enough ginger to actually be effective. The carbonation can help, but the added sugars can make some stomach issues—especially diarrhea—even worse. Massage your abdomen to alleviate stomach pressure, cramping, and bloating. Lay on your back and place both hands just above your right hip bone. Press in with your fingers and rub in a circular, clockwise motion up to your ribs.

Repeat this on the left side, then again in the center of your abdomen. Do this for about 10 minutes to help relieve your stomach pain.

Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods before bed if you've been nauseous. If your stomach pains are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it's important to eat foods that your body can break down easily.

That way, your body won't have to work hard to digest your food while you're sleeping, and you may be able to rest more easily.

For instance, if you can keep down the BRAT foods, you might start adding in juice, gelatin, crackers, and cooked cereals like oatmeal or cream of wheat. Take medications for your stomach ailment if natural remedies don't help.

Overusing over-the-counter medications can sometimes lead to side effects, so it's sometimes best to try natural options, like drinking tea or taking a warm bath, first. However, if your symptoms are severe or you haven't been able to get relief, an OTC medication may help. If you're constipated you haven't had a bowel movement in a while or if it hurts or is hard to go , try a stool softener or laxative.

Try simethicone drops to relieve gas pain. Use an anti-nausea or antidiarrheal medicine like bismuth subsalicylate for an upset stomach. Method 3. Don't eat foods that might upset your stomach, especially before bed.

Try not to consume foods that are high in fat, acidic or spicy foods, carbonated beverages, or foods that produce a lot of gas. If you're having frequent stomach pains, you might want to reduce these foods from your entire diet. However, you should especially limit them within hours of bed so you can sleep well. Gas-producing foods might include broccoli, beans, onions, cabbage, apples, and foods that are high in fiber.

Dairy and sugar substitutes may lead to gas as well. Peppermint, chocolate, and garlic may also lead to indigestion. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can irritate the lining of your stomach.

To avoid this, try not to take them within hours of bed if you can avoid it. Don't eat within hours of bedtime. If you lie down with a full stomach, you might experience indigestion as your body tries to process what you just ate. Try to plan your meals so you'll have several hours to digest your food before you lie down. Try to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.