Please share an interesting fact about dealing with heartburn.

Ignore: Ppis (nexium) have many side effects: osteoporosis, mg+2 deficiency, B12 ; iron deficiency. Avoid!

Did: Did you know that heartburn can cause hoarseness and/or sore throat? Ask your doctor.

Ignore: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, mints, spicy foods, chocolate.

Ignore: Recurrent heartburn should be evaluated by a physician.

Ignore: Do: talk to your doctor about treatment Don't: eat a large meal an hour before bedtime.

Ignore: An unexplained cough can be a symptoms of heartburn.

Ignore: Lifestyle changes can make significant improvement in your symptoms.

Ignore: Proton pump inhibitors are not always the answer. Try an elimination diet and see if that helps.

Ignore: If you've tried the appropriate diet changes, consider taking a medication daily.

Avoiding: Avoiding large meals is one of the most common preventable causes of heartburn.

Ignore: Avoid spicy foods, avoid eating less than 2 hours before sleep. Avoid caffeinated beverages.

You: You can actually fix heartburn endoscopically (Stretta) or surgically (fundoplication).

Ignore: Try small meals, and stay upright before and after meals for at least 2 hours.

Ignore: If you have frequent heartburn, see a gastroenterologist and if recommended have an EGD/endoscopy.

Ignore: Consider lifestyle modifications such as reduced smoking, drinking and caffeine products.

Ignore: Antacids like Tums and Rolaids relieve occasional heartburn much faster than Prilosec or Zantac (ranitidine).

Using: Using Prilosec or Prevacid (lansoprazole) (both PPI's) can lead to drug dependence because of rebound hyperacidity.

PPI's: PPI's like Prilosec(omeprazole) may increase chance of getting C. diff infection and enterocolitis.

Ignore: A BMI of 19 to 24 is considered healthy for anyone with acid reflux disease. 25 to 29 is overweight,.