What if heartburn doesnt go away

Another test attaches an acid monitor temporarily to the inside of the esophagus and wirelessly sends the data to a recorder. If the reflux persists even when the medicines are timed properly, Rubenstein might up the dose or prescribe a more powerful PPI. Another option is adding another medicine that keeps the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach tight.

Before such measures, Rubenstein stresses the lifestyle changes that can help symptoms. If all other methods fail, sometimes surgery is needed, Rubenstein says.

It could be a case of gastroesophageal reflux disease—GERD, for short—a condition that causes the acid and food in your stomach to rise into your esophagus, and sometimes even enter your mouth or lungs. But there are also several factors that make some people an easier target for the disease. These are typically the people who are more susceptible to GERD.

When GERD starts pumping food and bile out of your stomach and up your throat, the acidic contents can quite literally leave a bitter taste in your mouth. They also blaze what feels like a scorching-hot trail through your esophagus, leaving you with a sore, burning throat and causing your mouth to produce an excess amount of saliva in an effort to put out the flames.

In addition, eating frequent small meals and spacing out the time at least three to four hours between your last meal or drink and laying down at night may also help. GERD can also cause acid regurgitation when the acid from the stomach comes up through the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth. Although rare, Adenocarcinoma is increasing in frequency, making it more important than ever to have heartburn symptoms checked out.

Often, GERD symptoms occur because of diet or obesity. Eliminating carbonated beverages, caffeine, and fatty or spicy foods can help reduce the frequency of heartburn. Losing weight may also help. Some people may find relief with over-the-counter antacids, although they should not be considered a long-term solution. There's still hope with these 5 tips. Start Slideshow. Credit: Corbis. Credit: Getty Images. Replay gallery. Pinterest Facebook.