Making some small changes to lifestyle can help to prevent patients suffering with heartburn and acid reflux.

You can suggest the following advice to patients:-

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid food and drink that triggers symptoms
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
• Raise the head end of their bed to prevent acid travelling up towards the throat
• Avoid eating 3 - 4 hours before going to bed

You can also recommend the use of an antacids particularly alginate based products to help ease symptoms. These should be taken after food and they usually work for up to three hours.