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Heartburn prevention

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To prevent heartburn, avoid foods and beverages that may trigger your symptoms. For many people, these include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, tomato sauces, spicy or fatty foods, full-fat dairy products, peppermint, and spearmint. If other foods regularly give you heartburn, you should avoid those foods, too.

Also, try the following changes to your eating habits and lifestyle:

  • Avoid bending over or exercising just after eating.
  • Avoid garments or belts that fit tightly around your waist.
  • Do not lie down with a full stomach. For example, avoid eating within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Eat smaller meals.
  • Lose weight if you are overweight.
  • Reduce stress.
  • Sleep with your head raised about 6 inches. Do this by tilting your entire bed, or by using a wedge under your body, not just with normal pillows.

See: Heartburn

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007

Khan M, Santana J, Donnellan C, Preston C, Moayyedi P. Medical Treatments in the short term management of reflux oesophagitis. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev(2): CD003244; 2007.

Wilson, JF. In the clinic. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ann Intern Med. 2008; 149(3): ITC2-1-15; quiz ITC2-16.

Review Date:9/7/2008
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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