It will limit your daily activities and it can also lead to further complications, such as ulcers in your esophagus and Barrett s esophagus. You need to understand heartburn in order for you to treat it properly. Today, around 30 percent of the adult population in the country experiences occasional heartburn. When this happens, it can put pressure on the LES, which prevents it from closing properly and therefore let stomach acid flow in to the esophagus freely. Chronic heartburn can be treated with antacids and lifestyle changes. But, it is important that you should try and seek medical attention to treat the underlying causes of chronic heartburn. It will also be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, which is primarily the stomach acid you regurgitated. If you are suffering from heartburn, simple lifestyle changes must be made in order for you to prevent it from happening to you or at least lessen its frequency. The first is to lose weight. Heartburn: Don t Let It Control Your Life Millions of people in the country suffer from heartburn or what is also known as acid reflux. Although most adults experience this condition, having a chronic heartburn can definitely become a huge problem that it can affect your entire life in a very negative way. But, don t try using more pillows to do this as this can worsen heartburn as it will increase pressure on your stomach. Instead, try to elevate by placing a wedge under the mattress or by placing 6 inch blocks under the head of the bed. Alcohol is known to increase the frequency of heartburn. So, try to limit your alcohol intake. This will give the acids a chance to decrease before your body is in a position where heartburn will likely occur, which is lying down. If you are a smoker, then you should quit smoking as the nicotine content in cigars and cigarettes can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which is basically the muscle the controls the opening between the esophagus and the stomach.