What is an acid reflux pillow?

 What is an acid reflux pillow?

An acid reflux pillow is a wedge-shaped pillow that can put your body at a 30-degree angle.

It holds up your head and torso, so you are sleeping at an elevation, says Dr. Irene Sonu, MD, a clinical associate professor of medicine in gastroenterology and hepatology at Stanford Medicine. When laying flat, it is easier for acid to go back up since gravity is no longer keeping it down in your stomach, especially if your core is loose or weak.

“Sleeping at an elevation with the help of a wedge pillow will allow gravity to work in your favor so that less acid from your stomach can reflux up into your esophagus,” says Dr. Sonu.

Meet the experts: Leila Kia, MD, is an associate professor of medicine in gastroenterology and hepatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, with a special focus on esophageal disorders and clinical gastroenterology.

Irene Sonu, MD, is a clinical associate professor of medicine in gastroenterology & hepatology at Stanford Medicine. She specializes in complex motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.Supriya Rao, MD, is a quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She has a focus in digestive disorders, gut health, and obesity medicine.

Best Acid Reflux PillowsBed Wedge for Back & Side Sleepers

This pillow is a good solution for side sleepers, as its arm cut out allows you to use the wedge while laying on your side. Removing this cut-out makes it work for back sleepers by turning it into two pillows. It also has a half-roll pillow insert at the top, in case the standard wedge pillow isn’t comfortable to rest your head on.