1. Heartburn: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the GERD Quiz

Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

Heartburn usually starts about 30-60 minutes after a meal. It can occur at any time of day or night, but the pain is usually worse when lying down, so a person will notice it more when he or she is lying on the sofa, in a recliner, or in bed. Bending over or straining to go to the bathroom also may make heartburn worse. At night, saliva is not produced and the movement of the esophagus (peristalsis) decreases.

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