Health encyclopaedia

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Prevention of Heartburn

Self-help is often the best way to prevent or relive the discomfort of heartburn. Taking the following measures may help: 

• Stop smoking. Smoking after a meal, when the stomach is full, increases the chance of heartburn occurring.

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• Manage your weight. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from heartburn.
• Eat ‘little and often’, and do not over-fill the stomach. Try to eat two or three hours before you go to bed.
• Certain foods may be worth avoiding if you suffer from heartburn including fatty and spicy food, acidic fruit drinks, spirits such as whiskey and brandy, and very hot drinks.
• Avoid tight clothing, particularly around the waist.
• Sit up straight when eating and do not exercise immediately before or after a meal.
• Pregnant women can alleviate heartburn by keeping their weight increase within the recommended limits and eating sensibly.

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