Sleep Better, Reduce Acid Reflux: Dr Kunal Sood Shares 5 Key Facts About Sleep

Sleep is essential for the body and brain to recover, but the quality of your rest can be influenced by several everyday habits.

From what you eat before bed to the position you sleep in, seemingly minor factors can affect both sleep and related health symptoms.

Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, recently highlighted five lesser-known facts about sleep in an Instagram video shared on September 8. His points cover the effects of cannabis, sleeping position, sleep deprivation, restless legs and late-night meals.

Cannabis may affect REM sleep

While some people use cannabis to help them fall asleep, getting to sleep faster does not necessarily mean getting better-quality rest.

Dr Sood said THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, may help people fall asleep more quickly, particularly when anxiety is involved. However, he noted that it can also reduce REM sleep, drawing a comparison with alcohol.

REM sleep is an important stage of the sleep cycle and plays a role in memory consolidation, learning and cognitive function. Reduced REM sleep may therefore affect some of the restorative benefits associated with healthy sleep.

Left-side sleeping may ease acid reflux

For people who experience acid reflux at night, simply changing their sleeping position may provide some relief.

Acid reflux happens when stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn and irritation. Dr Sood explained that sleeping on the left side may help because of the anatomical position of the stomach and oesophagus.

According to him, this position can help keep the lower oesophageal sphincter above the level of stomach acid, potentially reducing the likelihood of acid flowing back into the oesophagus.

Sleep deprivation can raise the risk of accidents

Being tired behind the wheel can be just as concerning as other forms of impaired driving. Lack of sleep can affect concentration, reaction time, alertness and decision-making.

Dr Sood also warned about “micro sleeping” — brief, involuntary episodes of sleep that can occur when a person is severely tired.

Such lapses can be particularly dangerous while driving because they may happen without the person consciously recognising that they have fallen asleep.

Restless legs may point to an underlying deficiency

Restless legs syndrome can make it difficult to relax or fall asleep because of an uncontrollable urge to move the legs and uncomfortable sensations.

Dr Sood said the condition can sometimes be associated with deficiencies such as low iron or vitamin B12. However, restless legs can have multiple causes, so identifying the underlying reason is important.

People experiencing persistent symptoms should speak to a doctor rather than assuming that a nutrient deficiency is responsible.

Eating heavily before bed can interfere with sleep

A large meal close to bedtime can also affect how well you sleep. Digestion continues after eating, while the body is otherwise preparing to rest, and this may contribute to discomfort or make it harder to settle down.

Dr Sood cautioned that eating a large meal around two hours before going to bed can disrupt sleep. He also noted that eating may affect hormones involved in the sleep-wake cycle, including those associated with melatonin and circadian rhythms.

For people prone to acid reflux, eating late can be particularly troublesome because lying down soon after a meal may worsen symptoms.

Small habits can make a difference

Sleep quality depends on more than simply spending enough hours in bed. Daily habits, meal timing, substance use and even sleeping posture can influence how restful the night is.

While changing these habits may help, persistent problems such as severe reflux, restless legs or excessive daytime sleepiness should not be ignored. Speaking with a healthcare professional can help determine whether an underlying condition is affecting sleep.