Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle changes can help ease heartburn:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
• Avoid tightfitting clothing, which puts pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Avoid foods that trigger your heartburn.
• Avoid lying down after a meal. Wait at least three hours.
• Avoid late meals.
• Elevate the head of your bed if you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep. If that's not possible, insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Raising your head with additional pillows usually isn't effective.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol. Both smoking and drinking alcohol decrease the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.
• Avoid large meals. Instead eat many small meals throughout the day.