Medical Questions » Chest Questions » Question No. 195
| Question: | I wake up with a jumping sensation in my upper abdomen and lower chest. It stops when I wake completely. Is this a form of indigestion? Can I take something before going to bed? |
| Answer: | Two possible causes come to mind, but there are probably more.
The first is that the problem is a spasm of the diaphragm, rather like that created by hiccoughs. There may be irritation of the gullet, as it passes through the diaphragm, while you are lying, caused by the acid in the stomach. As soon as you wake and move, the irritated tissue goes into repeated spasm until the irritation eases. You would expect this to be associated with some pain (heartburn) or burping.
The other possibility is that you are feeling an unusual, irregular heartbeat that is associated with a change in your sleep state. The heart may flutter for a few minutes with the change in position or stress.
I would suggest that you try using a reflux-preventing mixture such as Gaviscon at night, and if this fails to ease the problem, you should have your stomach and heart checked by a doctor.
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