10. Quit smoking. Smoking reduces the production of saliva, which is necessary to neutralize gastric acids. Less saliva equals more gastric acids in your stomach and increases the likelihood of reflux occurring.

11. Avoid lying down or sleeping right after a meal. Go for a walk or remain upright for at least one or two hours after a meal. Snacking before bed can also aggravate symptoms of acid reflux.

12. Sleeping on your left side will relieve pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and help to ensure that stomach acids don’t reflux into your esophagus while you sleep.

13. Raise the head of the bed about 4 inches higher than the foot of the bed so that the top half of your body is elevated. Placing extra pillows under your head to raise it up does nothing to prevent acid from rising in the esophagus and may cause the problem to be worse.

14. Don’t wear clothing such as tight waistbands on pants or skirts, pantyhose or belts that constrict or binds your waist, stomach or abdomen.

15. Dietary supplements such as B-complex or calcium in the form of calcium carbonate may be effective at treating the symptoms of acid reflux, although there is limited medical evidence to support this.

Heleigh Bostwick is a freelance writer who frequently writes about health and nutrition. She is the editor of Parenting Multiples and Green Living.