when severe heartburn and acid reflux happen nearly all the time it could be gerd or gastroesophageal reflux disease. with chronic heartburn your doctor may prescribe a procedure called an endoscopy that allows the specialist to look inside your esophagus to see whether acid reflux has eroded the delicate lining of your esophagus or caused other damage. here are a few self-care tips: eat smaller meals well before bedtime. avoid triggers such as caffeine and spicy foods. cut back on alcohol and caffeine. stop smoking. lose weight if you're overweight. cut back on aspirin and pain relievers if you take them often. if diet and lifestyle changes don't work you might try: over-the-counter antacids such as maalox rolaids and tums. they may not be as effective for chronic heartburn. acid blockers like axid pepcid tagamet and zantac last longer and can be effective for several hours at a time says the aga. drugs called proton pump inhibitors or ppis. they shut down tiny proton pumps in the stomach that produce acid lowering acid levels dramatically. one ppi prilosec is available over the counter. reglan is a prescription drug that works to stop acid reflux by speeding up how quickly your stomach empties. faster digestion means less heartburn. gaviscon an over-the-counter heartburn treatment works as both an antacid and a foam barrier where your esophagus empties into the top of your stomach.
how do i treat severe heartburn?