Watch what you eat.

Changing your eating habits may help reduce stomach acid. Try these tips:

• Avoid fatty foods and spicy foods.
• Eat fewer acidic foods, such as citrus and tomato-based foods. These can increase symptoms.
• Limit drinking alcohol, caffeine and fizzy beverages. All increase acid reflux.
• Try limiting chocolate. Eating it bothers some people.

Watch when you eat.

• Eat dinner 3 or 4 hours before you lie down.
• Do not snack after dinner.

Raise your head.

Raising your head and upper body by 6" to 8" helps limit reflux when you're lyiing down. Place a foam wedge under the head of your mattress, or put blocks under the head of the bedframe to raise it.

Some other ways to help control acid reflux are:

• Lose weight, if you need to.
• Don't work out near bedtime.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes, such as pants or pantyhose with tight waistbands.
• Limit aspirin and ibuprofen. They may increase stomach irritation.
• Stop smoking.