Treatment Tips for Occasional Heartburn Sufferers
Those who suffer from heartburn on rare occasions can follow a few simple steps to reduce or eliminate their heartburn symptoms:
- Find out which products trigger your heartburn and avoid them. Some of the more common products known to cause heartburn are chocolate, fried foods, fatty foods, mint products, carbonated drinks, citrus products, tomato products, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, aspirin, and pain relievers (except acetaminophen).
- Stop eating big meals. With smaller meals, your body produces less acid and moves your food through your digestive system much quicker.
- Don’t eat right before bed. Gravity is your friend, and if you eat a meal and go to bed, your food and stomach acid may just sit there at the base of your esophagus, causing irritation.
- Stop smoking. As you can imagine, smoking is well-known as a heartburn trigger, and you can experience very quick relief from symptoms if you quit.
- Lose weight. When you’re overweight, more pressure is exerted on your stomach, slowing the digestion of food and increasing your chance of experiencing heartburn with every meal.
If you haven’t taken these steps and still experience the occasional heartburn attack, there are some quick over-the-counter solutions. An antacid with calcium carbonate such as Tums, Rolaids, Gaviscon, or Maalox can suppress your stomach acid and provide some form of relief. If your heartburn persists, however, talk to your physician.