Acid Reflux: Simple Ways to Feel Better Fast
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid comes back up into the esophagus. That burning in your chest, sour taste, or burping after a meal? That’s reflux. Sometimes it’s occasional and easy to fix. Other times it’s chronic and needs medical care. This page gives clear, usable steps you can try right now and points you toward helpful articles on our site.
Quick fixes you can try today
Try these steps if you feel heartburn coming on. They often work and don’t require a prescription:
- Sit up or walk for 10–20 minutes after eating. Gravity helps keep acid down.
- Avoid lying down for at least 2–3 hours after a meal. If you must lie down, raise your upper body 6–8 inches.
- Eat smaller meals more often. Big meals push on your stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter.
- Skip trigger foods: spicy meals, fried foods, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, onions, citrus, tomatoes, and caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
- Over-the-counter antacids (Tums, Rolaids) can stop symptoms fast. H2 blockers (famotidine) and PPIs (omeprazole) treat longer-term flare-ups. Use PPIs for short, planned periods unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol. Both relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus and make reflux worse.
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough
If you still get frequent heartburn despite trying the basics, talk to a clinician. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A doctor can check for complications like esophagitis, strictures, or Barrett’s esophagus.
Watch for red flags: trouble swallowing, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, black stools, or chest pain that isn’t the usual heartburn. Those signs need prompt evaluation.
Some medications help by reducing acid or improving stomach emptying. For nausea and slow emptying, domperidone (Motilium) can be discussed with your doctor — read our Motilium article for details and side effects. If Motilium isn’t right for you, we also have a pick of alternatives you can review.
Other times, surgery or procedures are an option when meds and lifestyle changes fail. Ask a GI specialist about fundoplication or endoscopic therapies if your reflux is severe and persistent.
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If you want step-by-step help, try keeping a food-and-symptom diary for 2–3 weeks. Note what you eat, when symptoms start, and what makes them better or worse. Bring that to your clinician — it speeds up useful advice and avoids trial-and-error.
Need more help or have a tricky case? Use our site search or contact a clinician. Acid reflux is common, but you don’t have to live with constant heartburn.
