Aerophagia and alcohol?

I started out with bad aerophagia and heartburn, which lately has started to improve to the point where the heartburn was pretty much gone and the aerophagia was mild.

Last night I had a couple of drinks with dinner which had a citrus base. They weren't very strong alcohol-wise and I had a full dinner with them (though I only ate until I was satisfied, not full and had no dessert), so I wasn't even tipsy. I started getting heartburn before bed, so I popped an omeprazole (doesn't do much for me anymore, but it was all I had with me) and went to bed hoping the CPAP would get rid of the heartburn like it usually does.

However, it seemed like the aerophagia was really bad because maybe the alcohol relaxed the opening between my stomach and esophagus. I woke up several times in the first hour because I could feel air going down in my stomach. I finally sat up and burped a bunch up and then the reflux...ugh. The aerophagia kept up for at least half the night (without any more reflux, thank God!) until it finally returned to it's more mild state (wake up once or twice to burp but nothing major.

So has anyone else found that aerophagia is worse with alcohol before bed? Tonight I am going to be much more moderate, if not abstain entirely. I am not much of a drinker, but being on vacation with a bunch of friends who do drink, I usually will join them for one or two.

I would think 'citrus' based is a tip-off to overly acidic stomach conditions requiring meds... whether or not you had alcohol... tho' guess that your theory about the aerophagia is as valid as any.

I have the same experience with alcohol as you. It creates problems with my digestion and hence, aerophagia; especially if I drink after dinnertime, usually about 6pm. I continually advise people to avoid alcohol before bedtime and am usually met with a wall of deafening silence - I'm not sure why but I predict this thread will fade away quick because it's a problem people just don't want to think about. Anyway, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm glad to see someone else is finally on my wavelength. To sum up... I don't hate alcohol, folks, I still like my beer and wine, however I just don't drink after much after dinner... maybe a half a glass of light wine with a bit of cheese and some whole wheat crackers.

I had a very similar thing happen to me a couple days ago. It wasn't alcohol but rather Crystal Light Lemon-aid. Had "ageta" (as my Italian family calls heart burn) for quite a while that night!
-tino

Sir NoddinOff wrote:I have the same experience with alcohol as you. It creates problems with my digestion and hence, aerophagia; especially if I drink after dinnertime, usually about 6pm. I continually advise people to avoid alcohol before bedtime and am usually met with a wall of deafening silence - I'm not sure why but I predict this thread will fade away quick because it's a problem people just don't want to think about. Anyway, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm glad to see someone else is finally on my wavelength. To sum up... I don't hate alcohol, folks, I still like my beer and wine, however I just don't drink after much after dinner... maybe a half a glass of light wine with a bit of cheese and some whole wheat crackers.

LOL! It seems that you are right, because I had to look for this thread to see if there were any replies after being gone all day.

I have nothing against alcohol, just don't absolutely need it to have a good time. I keep very little at home and usually just have a social drink or two at parties and other gatherings. I'm bummed that this happened. This is the one time of year I really kick up my heels, so it's no fun to say no to margaritas, especially since I don't have to drive anywhere.

The heartburn has been there all day and seems like it wants to keep going, so I may just trot down to the grocery store and buy some Maalox. Though it's not anywhere close to as bad as last night, so I may just save myself the trip 'cause I'm all tired out! I won't go to bed until I'm sure my dinner has gone on it's merry way and I won't be visited by the ghost of dinner past in the night.

My own testimonial:

alcohol, eating after dinner, MSG, aspartame, caffeine, all wreak havoc with good OSA treatment.

They can also cause digestive issues such as leaky gut syndrome.