Left-Side Sleep Cuts Nighttime Acid Exposure
Key takeaway
Sleeping on your back is associated with more nocturnal acid exposure than left-side sleeping; left lateral position had the shortest acid exposure and fastest clearance in Schuitenmaker et al. 2022 (n=57).
- Median nocturnal acid exposure was lowest on the left lateral side in concurrent pH and position monitoring.
- Supine position showed higher median acid exposure than left lateral (0.6% vs 0.0%).
| Metric | Scientific Observation | Impact Magnitude | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid exposure (median) | Left 0.0% vs supine 0.6% vs right 1.2% | Lowest on left lateral | ||
| Acid clearance (median) | Left ~35 s vs supine ~76 s vs right ~90 s | Faster clearance on left | ||
| Source | Schuitenmaker et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2022 | doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001588 |