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Elevating head
Sleep with your head raised about 6 inches. Sleeping with the head higher than the stomach reduces the likelihood that partially digested food will reflux into the esophagus. Place books, bricks, or blocks securely under the legs at the head of your bed. Or use a wedge-shaped pillow under your mattress. Sleeping on extra pillows does NOT work well for relieving heartburn.
Dr. Jeff Livingston reviewed this
24 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Related questions
A 45-year old asked:
If you have reflux, should you elevate head? Will this help?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
Elevate head or feet of a hypertensive person?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
Had wisdom teeth out Friday, now Monday, swelling won't go down taking ibuprofen and Tylenol, icing elevate head and rest but swelling gets worse.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
My neck hurts form trying to elevate my head at night, can I take an anti-acid instead?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old male asked:
My doctor told me my blurry right eye was normal after surgery and to elevate my head with pillows at night. It's not helping. What can?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A male asked:
I have a soreness to my right ear to the touch of my neck behind the ear. When I elevate my head, the pain/ache intensifies.
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old male asked:
When I am sleeping I wake up because I feel my throat closing and can't breathe. I do snore. It never happens when I elevate my head while sleeping. ?
1 doctor answer • 10 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
If I have lower back problems, is it good to elevate my feet and head slightly at night in bed. My bed can do this.
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old female asked:
Why does your shoulder pop when you lift it above your head ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old male asked:
Why does my head feel full of pressures when I lift something heavy?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A male asked:
When will my baby lift his head on his own?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 69-year old male asked:
It is painful when I lift my arm above my head?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
Why is it that i get light-headed when i lift weights?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
When i laugh, bend down, turn my head, or lift heavy things my head throbs what's wrong with me?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
I struggle to lift my head after a fall, is there anything i can do to strengthen my muscles required to lift my head?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old male asked:
My trapezius or the region has a sharp pain whenever i lift or turn my head. Is there anything i can do to resolve it?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
Trying to get out of bed today, but everytime i lift my head off the pillow i get a wave of dizziness. Is this serious?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old female asked:
When I lie down I sometimes get a sharp/heavy feeling in my head/neck and cant lift my head off of the pillow. The pain goes away when not lying down?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
My friend has been having intense pain in her head, really intense pain and sometimes can't lift her head due to the pain no bleeding no external injury?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old female asked:
Would an elevated rib cause pain on the head of my clavicle?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old male asked:
When laid down if i just lift my head up it goes dizzy a few seconds?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old male asked:
Each time i bent down for few minutes i will feel very dizzy when i lift up my head?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old female asked:
I am being treated for possible seizures, I am now waking up with severe dizziness, so bad i cant lift my head, should I worry?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
Do i need to sleep sitting up after rhinoplasty? Will i need to sleep sitting up or with my head elevated after rhinoplasty, or can I sleep normally?
5 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old female asked about a 43-year old female:
Why do I have chest pain when try to lift arm above head?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
What must id do with terrible shoulder pain? i cant lift my arm above my head
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A member asked about a female:
My 1 year old really congested what can I do I've tried humidifier, Vicks and keeping his head elevated?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 16-year old female asked:
Why did my neck start hurting all of a sudden? I can't turn my head to the left as Well as when I lift my arm it hurts?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked about a 28-year old male:
Neck hurts from the back of my head down and on both sides and it feels tight i lift alot of heavy stuff at work. what can i do?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
I want to be able to touch my toes and also stand on one leg and lift my other leg up to touch my head. How do I get more flexible?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
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