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For those who suffer from heartburn, they might be surprised to learn that getting relief could be as easy as making a few lifestyle changes. Keep reading for some tips on stopping heartburn before it gets going.

Many people get heartburn symptoms during the night. But just by cutting out your bedtime snack, you can get a lot of relief. Don’t snack for several hours leading up to bedtime. This can be hard if you’re inclined to be a late-night snacker. Yet it’s essential if you want to get a more restful sleep at night.

What you eat is just as important as when you eat it. For instance, acidic foods such as citrus juices, alcohol, tomato products and coffee all increase the risks of getting heartburn symptoms. Sometimes even an apparently harmless food can lead to excess acid production in the stomach. High fat or spicy foods are often the culprit in a bad case of heartburn.

Restricting the quantity of food you consume is another consideration in staving off severe heartburn symptoms. This involves restricting your portion sizes at each meal. Once your stomach is overstuffed, food is forced back into the esophagus. And since it’s already absorbed some of the acids in your stomach, it fuels that burning pain in your chest.

If you’re overweight, try dropping a few pounds. Once they do, many people find their heartburn symptoms are reduced. They often discover that there’s less pressure on their stomachs and they have more space in which to digest their food. So it isn’t as likely to be sent back up the esophagus.

Occasionally you might give in and eat too much or choose the wrong foods. When that happens, it’s critical that you stand or sit upright and avoid lying down. This will help to hold the food in your stomach, away from your esophagus, and hasten the digestion process.

Overweight heartburn sufferers aren’t alone in needing to make healthier choices. Individuals who smoke are also more inclined to this condition. If you smoke, the muscles in your esophagus don’t work as efficiently. This means it’s more difficult to prevent food from leaving the stomach by way of the esophagus. Additionally, the stomach acid of smokers is more toxic due to the presence of chemicals. Every drag on a cigarette ups your risk of triggering heartburn.

Keep in mind that changes to your lifestyle might not be the cure for severe heartburn. There are those who will still need to visit their doctor to find relief.