Left Side Sleeping Gravity can help waste move with greater ease through the digestive tract from the small intestine to the large intestine. This can help to ease discomfort from gas and bloating and other digestive discomforts.
Sleeping on your left side lets gravity do some of the digesting work for you, which can reduce stomach problems. When you're feeling bloated or gassy, often it's simply a matter of having too much poop in your system (again, sorry to use all these scientific terms).
Multiple research studies have found that sleeping on your left side. View Source is the best sleeping position for GERD. Sleeping with your left side down reduces reflux episodes. View Source and exposure of the esophagus to stomach acid.
As gas within the abdominal cavity tends to float and rise to the top, theoretically caudal gas progression would be facilitated in the supine position. Hence we hypothesised that intestinal gas transit and evacuation are enhanced in the supine compared with the upright position.
Your body is going through the natural digestion process.
"The healthy bacteria that live along your intestinal tract (to help us digest food) create gas all day and throughout the night, even during your sleep," says Christine Lee, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Lie flat on your back, legs extended, arms at your sides. Bend your right knee and bring it up toward your chest. Hug your knee with both hands while pressing your back, shoulders, and neck into the mat. As you exhale, bring your forehead up toward your knee.
Factors such as hormonal imbalances, food intolerances, constipation, gut bacteria imbalances, large or small intestinal parasites and certain medications can all result in bloating without passing gas. It's important to remember that while gas may be a sign of true bloating, it depends on what else you are feeling.
Acid reflux is worse at night for three reasons. First, the concentration of acid in the stomach is higher at night. Second, in the lying position, it is easier for acid to reflux and to remain in the esophagus., Gravity does not take the acid back down into the stomach. Third, while we are sleeping, we don't swallow.
Due to gravity, the shape of the stomach, and the angle of the connection between it and the esophagus, sleeping on your left side can greatly reduce reflux (see bottom picture). Another way to use gravity to help decrease nighttime GERD symptoms involves propping up the head section of the bed by about six inches.
Gas in the intestine causes pain for some people. When it collects on the left side of the colon, the pain can be confused with heart disease. When it collects on the right side of the colon, the pain may feel like the pain associated with gallstones or appendicitis.
“Always start with your right side, as this targets the ascending colon, which will push the gas to your descending colon. Then when you do the left side, you push all the gas out.”
While trapped gas may cause discomfort, it usually passes on its own after a few hours. Some people may be able to relieve pain due to trapped gas using natural remedies, certain body positions, or OTC medications. Avoiding known trigger foods or drinks can help prevent trapped gas from occurring.
Drink warm water
Water stimulates peristalsis (movement in the intestine). Drinking a cup of warm water may help relieve gas and cramps.
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up.
Excessive flatulence can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that's difficult to digest. It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Probiotics help eliminate or decrease common gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, reflux and even nausea/vomiting. These foods help fill your gut with healthy bacteria that will assist in the healthy breakdown of the food you eat.
And sleeping on the left side is best because it keeps pressure off internal organs and promotes healthy blood flow.