Recommendations in What to do for Heartburn

Sleep with your head up. Sleep with your head up using a good pillow. By doing this, gravity will help keep the contents of your stomach where it should be. You can also place under the legs of the head of the bed blocks of four to six inches (10.16 cm -15.24 cm).

Avoid tight clothing or tight belts. You also should avoid wearing tight clothing such as pants, stockings (panty hose) or tight belts (especially after eating), as it could put extra pressure and could make the acid go into the esophagus.

Avoid gaining fat in the stomach area because it can cause reflux. The same situation can occur when a woman is pregnant and, therefore, should ensure eating a proper diet.

Exercise is beneficial for heartburn. People who exercise regularly rarely get acidity. Even mild exercise like walking daily can help relieve digestive problems. However, avoid exercise immediately after a meal.

Eat vegetables to help combat the acidity. Some vegetables that relieve heartburn are: potatoes, boiled carrots cauliflower, and lettuce juice.

Avoid foods high in fat, food with high acid, and food seasoning. Fats make the body produce a hormone that weakens the esophageal valve. This situation causes the acid to go up to the esophagus. As for the spices (especially pepper), the spices contribute to increased acid production. Also, avoid acidic foods like tomatoes or oranges.

No Smoking. Nicotine irritates the esophageal valve both as the stomach lining. As a result, smokers tend to have more acidity.

Reduce intake of coffee. Perhaps the problem is not the caffeine but the oils found in regular coffee and decaf. Therefore, it is recommended to decrease the consumption of coffee.

Avoid consumption of peppermint. Although many people take peppermint tea and Yerba Buena without problems, to others, peppers can cause heartburn. For this reason, it is recommended that people suffering from heartburn avoid them. Try to avoid mints after lunch and see if it helps.

Reduce stress. Emotional stress contributes to the production of fatty.

Avoid alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Alcohol can irritate the stomach, while soft drinks can cause bloating in the stomach. All this may contribute to cause reflux.

Review your pain. Avoid aspirin because they contain a product that upset the stomach. It is better to use acetaminophen.

Eat small portions frequently. Studies have shown that people who eat slowly and small meals frequently in a relaxed atmosphere can overcome heartburn.

Avoid sugar and chocolate. This can cause stomach upset and heartburn.

Do not eat before bed. Laying back just before eating allows stomach acid to flow more easily into the esophagus. It is best to eat three hours before bedtime.

See a doctor if heartburn symptoms persist. If you notice that after applying all the remedies and recommendations mentioned above, the acidity continues, you should see a doctor, as it could be a symptom of serious disease such as hiatal hernia, esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (part of small intestine),

If you have had heartburn accompanied by any of the following symptoms then you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Vomiting blood
• Stools with blood or very black
• Shortness of breath
• Vertigo
• Pain to the neck