First, you should know that heartburn is common. The source of the problem seems to be weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring-like muscle that normally pinches closed the junction between the esophagus and the stomach, preventing the backflow. Typically, people with GERD report heartburn after eating or drinking specific foods. You may want to assess your diet to see if it includes large quantities of these foods and, if so, avoid or eliminate them. Later you might try reinstating them one at a time to determine which food seems to be causing your symptoms.
Smoking can worsen it, as can wearing tight-fighting clothing.
Use these cautiously and follow the dose instructions. If these measures don't help within a week or so, or your symptoms worsen, you should see your doctor. Heartburn can stem from other causes, such as a peptic ulcer, inflammation of the esophagus due to medications like antibiotics or potassium supplements, and use of medications for blood pressure or asthma control. Cancer of the esophagus, although unlikely, is another possibility. And if that doesn't work, a last resort is surgery to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter.