Heartburn stings and ruins your plans. You want quick relief and clear steps to stop it coming back. Below are practical fixes you can try at home, which over‑the‑counter meds help, and when it’s time to see a doctor.
Tackle the burning quickly with simple moves: sit upright, sip a glass of water, or chew a piece of sugar‑free gum for 30 minutes to boost saliva and clear acid. Antacids (Tums, Rolaids, Maalox) neutralize acid fast—use them as directed for short relief. If you reach for something stronger, an alginate product (like Gaviscon) can form a foam barrier that keeps stomach acid down for a few hours.
Avoid lying down right after eating. If heartburn happens at night, raise the head of your bed 6–8 inches or use a wedge pillow to keep acid in the stomach while you sleep. Sleeping on your left side can reduce reflux for many people.
If you get heartburn more than twice a week, consider an H2 blocker (famotidine) for short stretches or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole for stronger control. Take H2 blockers 30–60 minutes before a trigger meal. Take PPIs 30–60 minutes before breakfast for best effect. Don’t use PPIs every day long‑term without checking with your doctor—long use can cause nutrient changes and other risks.
Lifestyle changes make a big difference. Cut or reduce these triggers: spicy food, fatty meals, chocolate, mint, coffee, citrus, and alcohol. Eat smaller meals, stop eating 2–3 hours before bed, lose extra weight if you can, and quit smoking. Tight clothes around the waist can push acid up—choose looser outfits after meals.
Mix and match solutions. For example, use lifestyle tweaks + an antacid for occasional flareups, or a time‑limited PPI if heartburn is frequent. Track what you eat and when symptoms hit for a week—this helps spot specific triggers you can drop fast.
Watch for warning signs. See a doctor right away if you have trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, black tarry stools, or severe chest pain. Also consult a provider if OTC medicine doesn’t help after 2 weeks or your symptoms return quickly after stopping a PPI.
Want help choosing a treatment? Tell your doctor about other medicines you take—some heartburn drugs can interact with blood thinners or certain heart meds. A short phone call or clinic visit can save you weeks of discomfort and help pick the safest plan for you.
Small changes add up. Try one or two tactics this week—change your dinner time, skip alcohol before bed, or try an alginate after meals—and see what reduces your heartburn the most.
