What Reduces Heartburn?
Heartburn may be an occasional occurrence, but it is certainly a painful one. When you feel that familiar burning and sour taste in the back of your throat, try heartburn remedies for quick, effective relief.-
Types of Medication
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Antacids like Tums or Rolaids provide the fastest results, but the relief may be short-lived. H-2 receptor blockers like Tagamet and Pepcid take more time to work but last longer. Some heartburn sufferers find a combination of the two provide the most effective heartburn relief.
Diet Tips
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The best way to treat heartburn may be to stop it before it begins. Learn which foods cause heartburn for you and avoid them as much as possible. If you must indulge, take an H-2 receptor block one-half hour before a meal to keep painful symptoms at bay.
Lifestyle Tips
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Smoking exacerbates heartburn because nicotine increases acid production. Kick the habit and your heartburn symptoms may disappear as well. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce the occurrence of heartburn.
Bedtime Tips
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If heartburn is keeping you awake at night, avoid eating too close to bedtime. You can also raise the head of your bed a few inches to keep stomach acid where it belongs.
Warning
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If you experience heartburn symptoms two or more times a week, talk to your doctor. Frequent heartburn may indicate a condition known as GERD, which can cause potentially serious complications in the lining of the esophagus.
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