By 
It’s not as easy as putting out a fire, but it’s possible.
In most people, heartburn is caused by a combination of factors, many of which are under your direct control. The key to eliminating heartburn for good is to modify as many of these factors as possible.
A person interested in a permanent cure for heartburn is probably dealing with the problem on a regular basis. The following tips address true gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There are other causes of chest discomfort that sometimes mimic GERD, including heart disease, stomach ulcers, gastric cancer, costochondritis, and even asthma. If you have chest discomfort on a regular basis, check with your doctor to make sure your diagnosis is correct.
As for GERD, factors that contribute to symptomatic heartburn include smoking, being overweight, lying down after eating, taking certain medications, overeating, exercising after eating, drinking alcohol, and eating certain foods. Some of these can take months to address. Others can be changed overnight.
Many patients don’t realize that tobacco use worsens heartburn, whether it’s smoking or chewing. Quitting smoking is the best option, but even cutting back can make a difference. It may also depend on when you drink: a cigarette after lunch may not be enough to induce symptoms. Half a dozen after a dinner of tacos and beer may well set it off. I have had patients whose heartburn has completely disappeared just by quitting smoking.
Stopping certain medications is another potential way to eliminate heartburn overnight. The most common culprit is anti-inflammatory medication including aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and various prescription forms. Even Celebrex, the cox-2 inhibitor that’s least likely to cause stomach irritation, sometimes contributes to acid reflux symptoms. On the other hand, some patients who experience gastric symptoms due to ibuprofen find that their reflux improves when their doctor switches them to Celebrex. Also, many patients are unaware that Tylenol is different from aspirin or ibuprofen. Tylenol is effective in relieving mild to moderate pain and does not contribute to acid reflux.
Changing your diet is another way to get rid of heartburn. Avoid spicy foods, onions, citrus (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines), coffee (both regular and decaf), soft drinks, mint, fatty foods, chocolate, and the most common offender: dairy products. of tomato. It is possible to live without pizza, tacos, spaghetti, fries, and greasy burgers. The pioneers did it, you can too.
All forms of alcohol are potential stomach irritants and should be avoided, although sometimes this is a matter of quantity. A small glass of wine after dinner may not trigger symptoms, while a six-pack of beer during a smoky game of poker may.
Reflux is also a matter of gravity and pressure. Whenever there is more pressure on the abdomen, it is easier for the acid content to be forced up into the esophagus. Overeating is like overfilling a water balloon: the contents are under pressure and will spurt up much more easily than with a half-full balloon or stomach. Excess weight pressing on the stomach does the same thing as a tight belt. Bending over or exercising a lot, especially after eating, causes the same problem. If pregnancy is the problem, labor is the answer.
Gravity works in your favor as long as you’re upright, but lying down after a meal allows stomach contents to spill upwards. Some patients do well to raise the head of the bed. This works best by elevating the entire head of the bed, not just using extra pillows, which can actually end up squeezing your abdomen, increasing pressure. Losing weight will help over time, but eating less will help now.
Changing these behaviors is the first step to ending heartburn for good. If these suggestions aren’t effective, it’s time to discuss medication with your doctor.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, MD