How to Prevent heartburn

Take these simple measures to stop heartburn before it starts.

You Will Need

* Small meals

* A healthy weight

* A raised bed

Step 1

Know what you're dealing with. Heartburn occurs when food or stomach acid moves into the esophagus, causing discomfort and a bad taste in the mouth.

Step 2

Eat several small meals throughout the day, rather than fewer, but larger, meals. Overeating can cause heartburn.

Step 3

If you're carrying extra pounds, try to lose them. Overweight people are at higher risk of heartburn due to increased abdominal pressure.

Step 4

Avoid lying down right after eating. Doing so increases the chance of reflux.

Food or stomach acid leaking past the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, is called reflux.

Step 5

Quit smoking. As the chemicals in cigarettes pass from the lungs and into the bloodstream, they weaken the LES, increasing the risk of heartburn.

Step 6

Avoid excessive antacid use. They neutralize stomach acid, alleviating the symptoms of heartburn, but don't solve the problem of a weak LES. Antacids can also cause diarrhea or constipation.

Step 7

Raise the head of your bed 5 or 6 inches. This makes it more difficult for the food and stomach acid to travel into the esophagus.

Step 8

If you suffer from heartburn frequently, keep track of when you get it and potential causes, and take this information to your doctor to work out a plan.

Fact: Nighttime heartburn sufferers cost the U.S. economy $1.9 billion per week in lost productivity.