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How Can I Control My Heartburn?
The control of heartburn varies greatly among individuals. If heartburn is mild and occurs only intermittently, it is important for each person to determine what precipitated it. For example, if heartburn occurs only when eating late at night, one should avoid eating within three hours of going to bed. In addition, if heartburn occurs only after eating certain foods or after consuming large quantities of coffee, these foods should be avoided. In general, we recommend the following measures to relieve heartburn:

Use brick blocks to elevate the head of the bed between 4 and 6 inches. Extra pillows should not be used as they may actually aggravate heartburn. If bricks become uncomfortable for you or your partner, the use of a firm wedge to elevate your trunk and head can be substituted.
Avoid coffee of any type (including decaffeinated), tomatoes and tomato products, citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, mints, caffeinated beverages, alcoholic drinks and fatty foods.
Do not lie down for at least 3 hours after eating a meal.
Stop smoking.
Lose weight and avoid wearing tight fitting garments.
Use various medications according to the severity of your heartburn. In general, mild intermittent episodes of heartburn can be treated effectively with antacids. Liquid antacids work more rapidly and more effectively than tablets. Antacids include Mylanta‘, Maalox‘, Tums‘ or any products in a local pharmacy that contain a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide or calcium carbonate. If heartburn occurs more frequently, the use of over-the-counter H2-blockers (such as Pepcid-AC‘, Tagamet-HB‘, or Zantac-75‘) can be used. These latter drugs work most effectively before it is anticipated heartburn may occur. If heartburn occurs less than two or three times a week, the episodes can also be treated with a combination of an antacid and an H2-blocker. This combination provides immediate and sustained relief. If heartburn is occurring more frequently than two or three times a week, it is important that you consult a gastroenterologist to determine the severity of your heartburn and whether or not further tests may be indicated.

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