The ulcer pain can feel like burning, or gnawing, and it may go through to the back. Pain often comes several hours after a meal when the stomach is empty. The pain is often worse at night and early morning.

Does lying down make ulcers worse?

Sleeping difficulties and sleep disorders can make conditions like ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) more likely or worse . Lying down can also greatly increase the pressure put on some muscular, joint, or bone injuries.

Why do ulcers hurt more at night?

“If you want pain at nighttime, eat at bedtime,” he said. That's because when you eat, your stomach makes a lot of acid to digest the food. But “once the food is gone,” he said, acid levels remain high. A result: You'll most likely be jolted awake by pain.