Manage Heartburn: Practical Steps That Work

Heartburn hits more people than you think. If the burn comes after meals or at night, you can try simple fixes that often give fast relief.

Start by spotting triggers. Keep a quick diary for two weeks: note what you eat, when symptoms start, and how severe they are. Common culprits are coffee, alcohol, chocolate, spicy food, citrus, tomatoes, and fried meals.

Change how and when you eat. Eat smaller meals, slow down, and stop eating at least three hours before bed. Lying down too soon lets acid flow back up. Raise your head of bed by six inches or use a wedge pillow to help nighttime symptoms.

Watch your weight and clothes. Losing even a few pounds can cut reflux. Tight belts and waistbands push on your stomach and make heartburn worse. Quit smoking and limit alcohol, both of which weaken the valve that keeps stomach acid down.

Quick habits that cut heartburn

Try antacids for fast relief. Tums, Rolaids, and similar products neutralize acid right away. Alginate products like Gaviscon form a barrier and often stop regurgitation. H2 blockers such as famotidine reduce acid for several hours and can work for mild reflux.

For frequent or severe heartburn, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as lansoprazole —sold as Prevacid— cut acid production more effectively. They help healing and control symptoms, but long-term use can raise risks like low magnesium, bone fractures, and infections. Talk with your doctor about the shortest effective plan and whether you can step down later.

Medications and when to talk to your doctor

See your doctor if heartburn wakes you often, if you lose weight unexpectedly, if swallowing becomes hard, or if you vomit blood or have black stools. These are warning signs that need prompt evaluation.

Also review all your medicines. NSAIDs, some blood pressure drugs, and certain supplements can make reflux worse. Your doctor can swap meds, adjust doses, or suggest tests like an endoscopy when needed.

Small daily moves matter. Try gentle walking after meals, avoid bending at the waist right after eating, and chew sugar-free gum to boost saliva which neutralizes acid. Keep a simple plan of triggers, habits, and meds so you know what to tweak next.

If symptoms are mild try lifestyle fixes first. If they continue despite changes, get medical help. Quick action stops damage and gets you back to normal faster.

Want more detail? We cover specific drugs, safety tips, and buying options for medicines like Prevacid and other reflux treatments across our site. Use this tag page to find guides that match your questions.

Plan one change at a time: cut late-night snacks this week, swap soda for water next week, and test one trigger food at a time. Track results and celebrate small wins. If three changes fail, book a medical review to check for GERD or other causes. Soon.

Keep notes, try simple changes, and check with your doctor when in doubt. Better heartburn control starts with small steps.