The burning or painful feeling in the chest and throat known as heartburn often occurs following a meal or eating a particular food. Acid reflux causes the sensation in which the lower esophageal sphincter does not shut properly after opening to allow food in the stomach. Stomach acid backs up into the esophagus to result in heartburn. Frequent episodes of heartburn indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Certain remedies or methods can reduce or eliminate heartburn.
Medication
Over-the-counter antacids offer quick relief from heartburn. The products, in tablet or liquid form, neutralize acid. People with persistent heartburn benefit from acid reducers, available over the counter or in prescription strength. H2 blockers reduce the production of stomach acid to prevent acid reflux. Proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid and also help heal the esophageal lining to avoid damage to the esophagus from frequent heartburn. Acid reducers can work for several hours to prevent heartburn when eating.
Food
Knowing the foods that cause heartburn can reduce episodes, according to Medical News Today. Certain foods affect people differently. Removing suspected foods from the diet helps to reduce or eventually eliminate frequent heartburn. Foods that commonly affect people include fatty foods, fried foods, tomatoes, tomato sauce, citrus fruits and juices, garlic or spicy foods. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks and carbonated beverages may also trigger heartburn. Avoiding large meals and eating smaller, frequent meals instead helps prevent heartburn, according to HealthCastle.com. The stomach uses less acid secretion for digestion with smaller amounts of food.
Lifestyle Changes
Excess pounds can cause heartburn by putting pressure on your abdomen and pushing on the stomach to cause acid backup, MayoClinic.com notes. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of heartburn. Tight-fitting clothing can also put pressure on the abdomen. Smoking weakens the esophageal sphincter to promote acid reflux and heartburn, so people who smoke should quit to avoid heartburn. If you get heartburn during the night, you can raise the head of the bed six to nine inches by placing wooden blocks under the bedposts. This raises your upper body to prevent stomach acid backup and heartburn.
Surgery
In some cases, GERD patients do not find relief from frequent heartburn through medication, diet or lifestyle changes. Doctors may recommend surgery, which usually works to end the suffering of heartburn. Surgeons use techniques to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter so it closes properly.
