Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as heartburn, can be uncomfortable or even painful. You may be able to prevent these symptoms by making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, not smoking, not using alcohol, and avoiding certain foods that cause GERD symptoms, such as chocolate.

Some medicines (such as progesterone, which is found in birth control pills) may cause reflux and heartburn as a side effect. If medicines you are taking seem to be the cause of your heartburn, talk with your doctor about other medicines you might be able to use instead. Do not stop taking a prescription medicine until you talk with your doctor.