Heartburn can be avoided
Stay away from tomatoes, lemonade and caffeine

Whether it's picnics, baseball or backyard barbecues, heartburn can sometimes spoil the fun. Don't let it. Take a few minutes to identify different types of heartburn and the appropriate steps to take to stop heartburn before it starts.

Some foods and beverages, like greasy burgers or lemonade, may be heartburn triggers in some individuals. These items tend to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the band of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that keeps undigested food from backing up into the esophagus and causing irritation.

Common foods and beverages related to heartburn are fat, citrus products, tomatoes, fried food, peppers, garlic, onions, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol.

Pat Baird, nutritionist and National Heartburn Alliance board member, offers the following tips to avoid heartburn:

•Use lean cuts of meat, like flank steak, instead of fattier cuts.

•Substitute shredded zucchini or yellow squash instead of tomatoes in salads.

•Drink water, noncitrus fruit drinks or decaffeinated iced tea instead of lemonade or caffeinated cola drinks.

•Eat smaller meals, include snacks and keep the fat low.

"When heartburn sufferers make smarter choices, they can relax and enjoy the summer," said Baird. "Small lifestyle adjustments like avoiding lemonade and taking a walk after dinner can make a big difference. If you find that these changes don't help, talk to your healthcare professional about other options that make the most sense for you. Often, the key to treatment is to understand the type of heartburn that you have."

Understanding heartburn type is essential to knowing how to choose the most appropriate medicine. Treatment options are available, including antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Speak to a doctor about which is best.

Heartburn is a condition caused by stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus; however, contrary to popular belief, there are different types of heartburn:

•Episodic or occasional heartburn is characterized by infrequent bouts of heartburn that are usually manageable or predictable in the short term.

•Frequent heartburn occurs two or more days per week. Frequent heartburn sufferers may also be those who medicate heartburn symptoms two or more days per week. People with frequent heartburn might also find themselves using multiple over-the-counter medications two or more days a week for relief.

•Severe or chronic heartburn occurs more than two days per week and persists while taking appropriate medications, despite dietary and lifestyle changes. Sufferers with severe heartburn should speak to a healthcare professional.

For more information, visit the National Heartburn Alliance at www.heartburnalliance.org.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc