•  Sit straight while you eat. Stand up or walk around after you eat. Bending over or lying down after you eat makes it too easy for stomach acids to move up to the esophagus.

•  Don’t smoke.

•  Lose weight if you are overweight.

•  If heartburn bothers you at night, raise the head of the bed. Put the head of your bed up on 6-inch blocks. You can also buy a special wedge that is made to be placed between the mattress and box spring. Don’t just prop your head up with pillows. This makes the problem worse by putting pressure on your stomach.

•  Don’t wear garments that fit tight around the abdomen.

•  Eat small meals. Limit alcohol.

•  Limit foods and drinks with air. Examples are whipped cream and carbonated drinks.

•  Don’t eat or drink for 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

•  If you take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or arthritis medicines, take them with food.

•  If other treatments fail, take antacids, such as Tums. If these don’t bring relief, take an over-the-counter acid controller, such as Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, etc. These prevent and relieve heartburn. {Note: Read labels before taking antacids or acid controllers. Check with your doctor, too. Adverse side effects are more likely and more severe in older persons who take some acid controllers, such as Tagamet HB.}

•  Don’t take baking soda. It is high in sodium and is not effective.