• Stop smoking

• Lose weight

• Avoid tight clothes

• Do not rush meals and avoid overeating

• Make bedtime changes. Do not go to bed within two hours of a meal. Elevate your head while sleeping.

• Know your medications and talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine if a prescription medication may be causing heartburn.

If lifestyle changes aren't enough to keep heartburn at bay, several types of medicines are available. They work on the same principles: reducing the amount of acid that the stomach and esophagus are exposed to in order to reduce the likelihood of setting off the burning sensations and other symptoms.

The most common medicines are:

• Over-the-counter antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach and are good for relieving symptoms quickly. The drawback is that the effect of these antacids may not last long, so repeating doses may be required for relief.
• Over-the-counter and prescription H2 blockers work by blocking histamine receptors (that's what H2 stands for). These receptors stimulate the production of the stomach acids, and by blocking them, the stomach makes less acid reducing the likelihood of heartburn.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) are powerful substances that may block or suppress acid production in the cells that "pump" acid into the stomach. Some studies also find that they can decrease heartburn-related symptoms, including shortness of breath, hoarseness, chronic cough and laryngitis. Remember, these are medications in pill form, and not an actual pump. Once the drugs are at work, they can relieve or prevent symptoms for up to 24 hours.

Doctors also have access to so-called prokinetic medicines that help heal the painful swelling in the esophagus, and they're typically prescribed for long-term use.

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