Lose weight if overweight. Elevate the head of the bed 6 inches. Avoid lying down 2 to 3 hours after eating. Take an antacid. People with severe, chronic esophageal reflux or with symptoms not relieved by the treatment described above may need more complete diagnostic evaluation.
Doctors use a variety of tests and procedures to examine a patient with chronic heartburn.
An upper GI series may be performed during the early phase of testing. While an upper GI series provides limited information about possible reflux, it is used to rule out other diagnoses, such as peptic ulcers. For patients in whom diagnosis is difficult, doctors may measure the acid levels inside the esophagus through pH testing. Testing pH monitors the acidity level of the esophagus and symptoms during meals, activity, and sleep. Newer techniques of long-term pH monitoring are improving diagnostic capability in this area.