Finding Relief

Don't let heartburn get between you and your favourite foods. When heartburn flares up, you want relief now.

Double stacked cheeseburger next to a bag of TUMS Chewies

Why reach for TUMS

Unlike some heartburn medicines, which are absorbed in the bloodstream in order to work and can take hours or days to fully work, TUMS antacid travels directly to the source of the heartburn. TUMS antacid products go to work fast by neutralizing acid on contact.

Steps you can take to manage heartburn

Although you may not always be able to prevent heartburn, there are things you can do to lower your chances of triggering it. Here are some lifestyle changes you can try to help decrease the frequency of heartburn:

Young woman eating a healthy sandwich — **Eat smaller meals**

Instead of eating big meals, try eating smaller quantities more frequently throughout the day.

Young man wearing a baggy blue t-shirt — **Wear looser clothing**

Clothes that fit tightly around your waist can put pressure on the stomach. This pressure can push the stomach acids up into the esophagus, so take it down a notch. Loosen that belt and avoid tight fitting clothing whenever possible.

Woman sleeping in bed — **Change your sleep position**

If you suffer from heartburn symptoms at night, sleeping with your head slightly raised may help. When your head and chest are elevated higher than your stomach, it can help reduce the risk of stomach acid flowing into your esophagus.

Bathroom scale on the floor — **Maintain a healthy weight**

Did you know the more overweight you are, the more likely you are to suffer from heartburn? Extra pounds can put pressure on your stomach causing acid to back up into your esophagus. Talk to your doctor about a healthy weight-loss plan that's right for you.

Close up of people’s shoes exercising on a grass field — **Exercise appropriately**

Exercises like sit-ups and crunches can increase pressure on your stomach. This pressure can push the acid in your stomach up into the esophagus and trigger heartburn pain. Agitating activities like running that involving bouncing or shaking can also increase your risk. Calmer activities like walking are less likely to trigger our heartburn. Don't exercise right after a meal. For more exercise ideas, talk to a personal trainer.

Someone putting out a cigarette in an ashtray — **Quit smoking**

Smoking is a well-known trigger for heartburn. The nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) as they enter the body. Quitting, or at least cutting back, can help with your heartburn symptoms and improve your overall health.

Woman cutting up carrots on wooden cutting boards — **Choose better foods**

You can avoid heartburn by staying away from certain foods. Spicy and fatty foods are the most commonly reported foods to trigger heartburn, but that can vary from person to person. In general, eating healthier is always a good idea.

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