Sometimes when we age, the muscles in our esophagus may weaken, causing stomach acids to move up into our throats as Acid Reflux. It's important not to let this happen too often, as the irritation from the acid can actually cause cancer.
It's helpful to drink a full glass of plain filtered water before bed. Also, Aloe Vera Juice is said to not only soothe the esophagus, but also reduces the acid. I sometimes take a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a small amount of water when I feel heartburn coming on before bed. People with high blood pressure or problems with salt may not want to do this.
You can take the over-the-counter heartburn pills if needed, but best not to take them too often. Taking Tums is not good either, as it's Calcium Carbonate, which is a form of calcium that's not readily absorbed into the system. People who take too much of these kinds of calcium may actually get blockage of the arteries, causing strokes, etc.
As others here have suggested, sleeping on your left side can help. Also, raising the head and shoulders during sleep, some people use a special foam wedge to raise their heads. Some people actually put something under the top two legs of their beds to keep the head and shoulders higher at night. Adjustable beds are ideal for this, but pretty pricey.
