Antacid tablets may be effective but they are slow to act. When compared to liquid antacids, antacids in tablet form are less powerful in neutralizing stomach acid. If you constantly experience heartburn, antacids will be very useful to you because they offer instant relief from heartburn especially if it is caused by foods or certain activities. By following these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to take control of your life again. You have to remember that in order to prevent heartburn, you have to make some changes with your life. A few lifestyle modifications can really go a long way. The first is that you have to avoid eating large meals. This may be a sign that you have a condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. If you leave it untreated, it can lead to severe complications, such as scarring of the esophagus. This will make it difficult for you to swallow food and even liquids. Severe heartburn can also lead to Barrett s esophagus. Heartburn happens when our stomach acid refluxes and comes in to contact with our esophagus. This irritates our esophagus and causes us to feel a burning sensation starting from the diaphragm all the way behind our breastbone. This is the feeling that you know as heartburn. It will also be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, which is primarily the stomach acid you regurgitated. This measures the strength of your stomach acid and a thin tube will be passed through your nose and in to your esophagus. The test will measure the amount of acid reflux that occurs while you do your daily and regular activities for 24 hours. After the diagnosis, you will get treatment for your heartburn as well as for the complications heartburn had on your body, especially on your esophagus. The first is that it may be because of a weakened lower esophageal sphincter or LES. This is the valve that keeps the stomach acid inside the stomach and prevents the acid from coming in contact with the esophagus. A weakened LES is one of the most common symptoms of GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.