Ask the Doctor Questions

Below are some questions you can ask your doctor or nurse to help you take care of your frequent heartburn.

Questions

Can I treat my heartburn or do I need to see the doctor?

What foods will make my heartburn worse?

How can I change the way I eat to help my heartburn?

• How long should I wait after eating before lying down?
• How long should I wait after eating before exercising?

Will losing weight help my heartburn symptoms?

Do cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine make my heartburn worse?

What changes should I make in my bed, if I have heartburn at night?

What medicines will help my heartburn?

• Will antacids help my heartburn?
• Are there other medicines that will help my heartburn symptoms?
• Do I need a prescription to buy them?
• Does the medicine have any side effects?

How do I know if I have a more serious problem?

• When should I call the doctor?
• What other tests or procedures do I need if my heartburn does not go away?

Are there surgeries that help with heartburn?

• How are the surgeries done? What are the risks?
• How well do the surgeries work? Will I still need to take medicine for my heartburn after surgery? Will I ever need to have surgery again for the heartburn?