Foods that make chronic heartburn worse include fatty foods, fried foods, chocolate and tomatoes. Beverages that can increase the symptoms include alcohol, caffeine and citrus juices. These foods and beverages can relax the esophageal sphincter muscles and increase the risk of the acid traveling back up the tube. Other things that can cause chronic heartburn symptoms is overeating and skipping meals. When you skip a meal you are more likely to overeat when you do have a meal. The more food you eat the more acid your stomach has to create and this puts you at a higher risk of suffering from heartburn. It is also best not to eat within a few hours of going to bed to help reduce these symptoms.
Smokers are at a higher risk of having heartburn, so if you smoke start cutting back and try to eliminate tobacco all together. If you suffer from chronic heartburn don’t wear tight clothes that help to push the acid back up into your esophagus. Anything tight around your stomach will do this. Anyone that is overweight is at high risk for having chronic heartburn therefore, you should begin an exercise routine that will help you shed those unwanted pounds and reduce the symptoms of heartburn. If you have a lot of problems sleeping at night due to heartburn, then try sleeping with your head elevated to help relieve these symptoms.