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This will give your body time to digest the food. If you lie down too quickly, undigested food in your stomach can cause heartburn. If your heartburn symptoms occur while you sleep, elevate the head of your bead. Raise the head of your bed 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23cm) off of the ground by placing blocks or books under the feet of your bed. Keeping your head elevated will significantly reduce your heartburn symptoms at night. Wear clothes that do not fit too tight. Tight-fitting clothes place pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter and abdomen. The pressure on your abdomen can cause frequent heartburn, which can lead to GERD. Because smoking weakens your lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function, it can cause increase heartburn. If you experience heartburn after smoking, this is a sign that you need to either stop or cut back on smoking significantly if you do not want to develop GERD. Over-the-counter antacids like Tums, Rolaids, and Mylanta work by neutralizing your stomach acid. H-2-receptor blocker medications like Pepcid AC, Zantac, and Axid AR help to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. Take these medications to treat mild to moderate GERD symptoms once or twice a week. Use the medications exactly as described on the label. In many cases, you may need to take the medication 30 minutes before or up to 1 hour after you eat. Avoid overusing antacids since overuse can lead to kidney problems and diarrhea. PPIs are medications that reduce how much acid your stomach produces. PPIs include medications like Prevacid, Prilosec, and Nexium. You can buy these over the counter at a drugstore or pharmacy. Stronger versions may need a prescription from your doctor. Read the instructions on the label of the medication to learn how much you should take. Typically, you will need to take the PPI once or twice a day for up to 14 days. A second course may be needed. Long-term use of PPIs can result in magnesium deficiency or an increased risk of bone fracture. If you experience frequent or severe heartburn symptoms or take over-the-counter heartburn medications more than twice a week, contact your doctor. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and the severity of your symptoms. GERD can also be caused by not having enough stomach acid. Low stomach acid may cause bacterial growth or poor digestion that might give you heartburn. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe you prescription-strength H-2-receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors. GERD is not a condition itself. Rather, it is a symptom of other conditions. Your doctor can help you diagnose the cause of your GERD.
Wait 2 to 3 hours before lying down after a meal. Elevate your head while you are sleeping. Wear comfortable-fitting clothing. Avoid smoking. Take over-the-counter antacids. Get a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) over the counter or by prescription. Make an appointment with your doctor.