When you wake up with indigestion, is your body performing a helpful process? Is there any reason not to just take some antacids?
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Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach (cardiac sphincter) does not completely close. Stomach contents (including acidic digestive fluid) reaches the esophagus which, unlike the stomach, has no protective mucous layer. Digestive fluid irritates the esophagus, causing discomfort we call heartburn.
Ant-acids neutralize acid in digestive fuids which temporarily reduces discomfort. Lifestyle changes can reduce the cardiac sphincter’s tendancy to not close fully. Drugs can reduce acid production.
When you lay down, you don’t have the benefit of gravity keeping food moving and acid from coming up. I don’t think there is any reason why you can’t take antacids every night. I take them most nights or I will wake up coughing with acid tickling the back of my throat.
If you find this is happening all the time, then it is a good idea to get it seen by a professional. So, if “just take some antacids” means “only take antacids and don’t get it checked out”, then yes, there is a reason not to do that.
But as a way to relieve temporary symptoms, there is no reason not to take antacids.
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