You can also consider consuming baking soda with water, which is also known as a very effective heartburn remedy. Although this may not taste as good as a soda, this will help heartburn sufferers by eliminating gas bubbles in your stomach. You also have to keep in mind that eating too much spicy and fatty food can be very harmful for heartburn patients. Gastric acid reflux or heartburn occurs because of several reasons. By knowing about the different reasons that causes heartburn, you will be able to know how to prevent it from happening or at least take control of it. One of the main causes of heartburn is the weakening of the sphincter. Basically, the sphincter acts as a valve that prevents stomach acid from reaching the esophagus. Chronic heartburn is when you experience this condition every single day or almost every day. If this is the case, then you may want to go to your doctor and have it checked. Leaving chronic heartburn untreated can lead to more severe complications that will significantly have a negative effect on your life. Fried and fatty foods should also be avoided as this type of food is hard to digest, which will force your stomach to produce more stomach acid. You also need to drink plenty of water. However, avoid drinking plenty of water while you are eating. The excess fluids will result in increased acid reflux, which will lead to heartburn. This is primarily the reason why you have to go to the doctor in order to get it diagnosed properly and determine the cause of heartburn. The doctor may try to diagnose you biochemically or mechanically. The biochemical method of diagnosing means that a probe will be placed via the nose and in to the esophagus. Heartburn is painful and it can really stop you from doing any of your daily activities. This is why you have to know about the available medical treatments in order for you to properly manage heartburn and take control of your life from heartburn. Over the counter antacids are the oldest and also one of the most effective treatments for heartburn.