Key takeaways
- Reducing intake of spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol can help minimize heartburn symptoms.
- Waiting 2 to 3 hours after eating before lying down and elevating the head during sleep can help alleviate heartburn.
- If diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to minimize or prevent heartburn, medications such as antacids, H2 blockers, and PPIs may help. Speak with a doctor for more information.
People often describe heartburn as a burning sensation in the chest behind the breastbone. It is a common symptom that may occur after eating a large or heavy meal.
However, if a person experiences heartburn frequently, they may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
People with GERD experience symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation at least 2 or 3 times a week, due to stomach contents coming back up into the esophagus.
Regurgitation is a sensation of food or fluid coming up into the chest. The esophagus is the tube that connects the back of the mouth and nose to the stomach.
GERD symptoms may be difficult to differentiate from angina or heart pain. A person should speak with a doctor if the pain persists or begins to worsen, so they can work out the underlying cause.
This article discusses a range of tips for preventing and managing heartburn and GERD.
Some people may notice heartburn occurs when they eat certain foods, which may include:
- chocolate
- tomato products
- spicy foods
- coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- greasy or fatty foods
- alcoholic beverages
- peppermint
These foods can be acidic and may increase stomach acid, which can contribute to heartburn symptoms.
A doctor may recommend keeping a food diary to determine which foods may be triggering symptoms. A person may then want to try limiting how often they eat those foods to see if their symptoms improve.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) also recommends eating smaller, more frequent meals, instead of larger, less frequent meals.
However, people should not make significant changes to their diet without first speaking with a healthcare professional.
A person may want to try the following lifestyle modifications to help
- waiting at least 2 to 3 hours after eating a meal before lying down to sleep
- elevating the head off the bed by 6 to 8 inches during sleep, by placing extra pillows or a foam wedge under the head and upper back
- losing weight with a doctor’s guidance, if a person has obesity
- quitting smoking, if applicable
According to the NHS, people may also want to try managing stress with relaxation techniques and avoiding wearing clothes that are tight around the waist.
If someone has more frequent or persistent heartburn that does not improve with diet or lifestyle changes, a healthcare professional may recommend taking one of the
- Antacids: These medications help neutralize acid in the stomach and may help relieve mild heartburn or GERD symptoms. They should not be taken every day or used for severe heartburn or GERD symptoms. Some side effects of antacids may include constipation or diarrhea.
- H2 blockers: These medications lower the amount of acid the stomach makes. Some side effects of H2 blockers may include headaches and abdominal pain, according to a 2017 study.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): These medications lower the amount of acid the stomach makes. PPIs may be more effective at treating GERD symptoms than H2 blockers. Doctors may prescribe them for long-term GERD treatment. Some side effects may include diarrhea, headaches, and stomach upset.
In some cases, doctors may also recommend different medications for individuals with GERD.
People should speak with a doctor about the benefits and risks of taking medications for heartburn and GERD. For example, while PPIs are usually safe and effective, some research indicates an association between PPI use and Clostridioides difficile infection.
Further research into long-term and high dose PPI use is necessary.
If someone is taking medication for heartburn more than twice a week, then they should seek medical advice.
If a person is experiencing GERD symptoms, including heartburn, that do not improve with lifestyle modifications and medications, a doctor may recommend they undergo
- Fundoplication: During this procedure, a surgeon sews the top part of the stomach around the end of the esophagus. This helps add pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter and prevent acid reflux. Fundoplication is the most common type of surgery for treating GERD.
- Bariatric surgery: People may also refer to bariatric surgery as weight loss surgery. Doctors may recommend bariatric surgery for people with GERD and obesity, to help reduce GERD symptoms and manage weight. A common option is gastric bypass surgery.
- Endoscopy: During this procedure, a healthcare professional inserts a small, flexible tube with a light and camera, or endoscope, through a person’s mouth and into the esophagus. They may then perform surgery or deliver radiofrequency energy to the lower esophageal sphincter using the endoscope. Doctors only recommend endoscopy for GERD in a small number of cases.
Most people experience heartburn from time to time. Some tips for preventing it include limiting certain foods in the diet, not lying down for a couple of hours after a meal, and quitting smoking, if applicable.
If someone experiences symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation at least 2 or 3 times per week, they may have GERD. People should contact a doctor if they think they may have GERD, or if they frequently experience heartburn.
A doctor can work out if a person has GERD and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include medications like antacids, H2 blockers, and PPIs. If GERD does not improve with lifestyle changes or medications, a doctor may recommend surgery or other medical procedures.