Ask the Nurse

I am a 61 year old woman. Lately, I have woken up in the middle of the night with acid reflux. It’s so bad that I feel I have something stuck in my throat. I swallow, but it is still there. What over-the-counter medicine can I take beside Tums?


You need to see your physician and have an esophageal (swallowing tube) evaluation. The following tips can help reduce acid reflux:

  • Do not eat for 4-6 hours before going to bed
  • Keep the head of the bed up on 6 inch cinder blocks

You may need your thyroid gland in your neck checked. And avoid foods that increase gastroesophageal reflux like:

  • alcohol
  • caffeine
  • spicy foods
  • citrus

All My Best,
Speaking of Women’s Health Nurse

June 2, 2017 at 9:18am