Acid reflux: simple fixes, treatments, and when to seek help

Heartburn or acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. It feels like burning behind the breastbone, sometimes with a sour taste in your mouth. You don’t need medical jargon to handle it—small changes often cut symptoms fast. Here are practical tips you can try today and clear signs to get checked by a doctor.

Everyday fixes that work

Cut portion size: big meals push stomach contents up. Try smaller meals every 3–4 hours instead of two heavy ones. Wait before lying down: don’t lie flat for at least 2–3 hours after eating. Elevate your head at night: raise the head of the bed 6–8 inches or use a wedge pillow so gravity helps keep acid down. Watch triggers: common culprits are fatty foods, fried meals, chocolate, mint, coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. Keep a short food log for a week to spot yours.

Lose a little weight if you’re overweight. Even 5–10% body weight loss can ease pressure on your stomach. Stop smoking: nicotine relaxes the valve between stomach and esophagus, making reflux worse. Avoid tight clothes around your waist—anything that squeezes your belly can push acid up.

Medicines and when to use them

Over-the-counter antacids (Tums, Rolaids) give quick relief for mild episodes. H2 blockers (like famotidine) reduce acid for several hours and help frequent heartburn. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole cut acid production more strongly and are often used when symptoms are daily or disturb sleep. Don’t take PPIs for months without talking to a doctor—long-term use has risks and needs follow-up.

Use meds the right way: antacids work best after symptoms start; H2 blockers and PPIs work better when taken before a meal and on a regular schedule. If you’re on other medicines, check interactions—especially with blood thinners and some heart drugs.

When simple measures don’t help, doctors may recommend tests: an endoscopy looks for damage, pH monitoring measures acid, and manometry checks esophagus muscle function. These help tailor treatment if symptoms are stubborn or unclear.

Red flags that need prompt care: trouble swallowing, unintentional weight loss, vomiting blood or black stools, severe chest pain, or shortness of breath. Those could mean more than reflux and deserve urgent evaluation.

If you get heartburn once in a while, try lifestyle tweaks and short-term meds. If it’s daily, wakes you at night, or comes with any red-flag signs, see a doctor. Acid reflux can usually be managed well—get the right steps and you’ll sleep, eat, and feel better without guesswork.