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Heartburn (Reflux) (cont.)

Lifestyle Habits

Medical Causes

  • Pregnancy.

  • Bulging of part of the stomach into the chest cavity, also called hiatal hernia.

  • GERD.

  • Taking certain medications, especially some antibiotics and aspirin.

Heartburn Treatment

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Treating heartburn requires adjustments to your lifestyle, medications, and possibly surgery if your heartburn is due to GERD or a hiatal hernia.

Tips to Alleviate Heartburn Symptoms

  • Raise the head of your bed about 6 inches to allow gravity to help keep the stomach's contents in the stomach. (Do not use piles of pillows because this puts your body into a bent position that actually aggravates the condition by increasing pressure on the abdomen. Instead, put books under the legs of the bed to raise it up.)

  • Eat meals at least three to four hours before lying down and avoid bedtime snacks.

  • Eat smaller meals.

  • Maintain a healthy weight to eliminate unnecessary intra-abdominal pressure caused by extra pounds.

  • Limit consumption of fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, tea, colas, and alcohol -- all of which can relax the lower esophageal sphincter -- and tomatoes and citrus fruits or juices, which contribute additional acid that can irritate the esophagus.

  • Give up smoking, which also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter.

  • Wear loose belts and clothing.

Heartburn can be treated with medicine. Medicines used to treat heartburn can range from over-the-counter remedies to medicine requiring a doctor's prescription.

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