1. Smaller Meals

Small meals relieve some of the pressure put on your lower esophageal sphincter. It’s that pressure that causes food to reflux into the esophagus and cause heartburn. I think this makes perfect sense. I know when I overdo at a meal I seem to have heartburn shortly after.

2. Know the Triggers

Certain foods can trigger heartburn. One way to prevent heartburn is to be aware of those foods and avoid them. Acidic foods and drinks are a big culprit of heartburn. I try to avoid things like carbonated drinks, caffeine, citric juices, and tomato based foods. Spicy and fatty foods are also a big cause of heartburn.

3. Lose Weight

If only it was that easy, right? Doctors tell us all the time to lose weight to improve this condition or that condition, but offer very little helpful guidance as to how to lose weight. Unfortunately, extra weight also plays a factor in heartburn. The extra fat and pressure in the abdomen can push food back up into the esophagus.

4. Belts and Tight Clothing

If you have noticed yet, its pressure in the abdomen that is the main cause of heartburn. Eliminating that pressure is one way to prevent heartburn. Tight clothing around the waist will also create that pressure. So, if you are trying to prevent heartburn than chose outfits that have a little more give in the torso.

5. Stop Smoking

Smoking is just bad anyways and if you haven’t quit for all the other reasons there are to quit, than maybe this will help motivate you to quit. The chemicals in cigarettes also weaken the lower esophageal sphincter causing heartburn and acid reflux.

6. Medication

If you take medication for heartburn be sure to take it every day at the same time. This tip has really made a difference for me. My doctor gave me a heartburn medication prescription. I would take it when I remembered, which was usually before a meal I knew was going to cause pain afterwards. I was still getting heartburn. Finally, I realized I just needed to be more diligent with my medication and take it the same time every day. It’s really helped.

7. Warm Water

If you can’t prevent heartburn than at least know an easy way to treat it almost anywhere. I’ve learned that a tall glass of warm water does the trick. I don’t know if it dilutes the acids or does something else, but it works instantly.

Besides taking my medication properly, there are few other ways to prevent heartburn on this list that I am going to put into effect. What are some ways to prevent heartburn that you have tried? Did it work? Share your suggestions.

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