Acid Reflux: What’s Going On and How to Feel Better Fast
About 20% of adults get heartburn at least once a week. That burning or sour taste is acid from your stomach coming back up into the throat. It’s annoying, but you can handle it—often with simple changes and a few smart medicines. This page gives clear, useful steps you can try today.
Quick fixes and daily habits
Start with how you eat. Small meals help—big plates push stomach acid up. Avoid trigger foods like coffee, chocolate, mint, fatty fried food, citrus, tomatoes, and spicy dishes. Stop eating two to three hours before bed so your stomach has time to empty. Raise the head of your bed 6–8 inches or use a wedge pillow so gravity keeps acid down while you sleep.
Loose clothes make a real difference. Tight belts and waistbands squeeze your belly and push acid upward. If you smoke, try quitting—smoking weakens the valve between your stomach and esophagus. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help, too: more saliva equals less acid in the throat.
Medications and when to talk to a doctor
For quick relief, antacids like Tums or Maalox neutralize acid fast. H2 blockers (famotidine) cut acid for several hours and can help at night. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are stronger and work well for daily symptoms—do a trial for about eight weeks and then check with your doctor. Long-term PPI use has pros and cons, so don’t self-prescribe forever.
Some medications can make reflux worse. Nitrates, some blood-pressure drugs, and certain sedatives relax the muscle that keeps acid in the stomach. If you take drugs for heart, blood pressure, or anxiety and notice reflux getting worse, bring it up with your prescriber—adjusting timing or changing a drug may help. If medicines are a concern, read our related posts on safe dosing and drug choices like “Ativan Dosage and Heart Safety” or guides about blood pressure meds.
See a doctor right away if you have trouble swallowing, persistent vomiting, black or bloody stools, unintentional weight loss, or severe chest pain. These can be signs of complications like esophagitis, ulcers, or a different serious condition. If heartburn won’t budge after eight weeks of OTC treatment, ask for a referral to a GI specialist—tests or prescription treatment might be needed.
Small changes add up. Try one habit this week—eat smaller meals or raise your bed—and watch symptoms for a few days. If nothing helps, get medical advice. And if you’re taking other meds, check our site for articles on safe use and online pharmacy tips so you manage reflux without risking other health problems.
