WHAT IS IT?

That burning pain behind the breastbone, often accompanied by a bitter or sour taste. It usually develops after eating--especially overeating or indulging in certain foods.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

STOMACH ACID BACKUP INTO THE ESOPHAGUS. Triggers include spicy foods, citrus fruits, onions, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, tomatoes, fatty foods, and chocolate, going to bed with a full stomach is another risk factor, as is slow digestion.

LIFESTYLE TIPS:

Eat slowly, maintain a healthy weight (if you're overweight, even losing 10 pounds will help); drink herbal teas instead of caffeinated beverages; avoid tight-fitting clothes. DON'T DRINK ICE-COLD LIQUIDS WITH MEALS! ANXIETY can agitate the digestive system and make heartburn worse. DE-STRESS with gentle exercise instead of alcohol or tobacco. LISTEN to MUSIC, get a MASSAGE, MEDITATE. or take a WALK.

If your heartburn comes at night, ELEVATE the head of your bed or put a wedge between your mattress and box spring.

DIET:

Choose low-acid fruits and vegetables such as asparagus and melons; whole-grain foods including oatmeal, brown rice, and couscous; lean poultry and meats (not fried); potatoes and other root vegetables; and grilled, poached, or baked fish. Some heartburn sufferers swear by taking one to two teaspoons a day of apple cider vinegar diluted in a glass of water. Or try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to a cup of tea sweetened with honey.

HERBAL THERAPY:

SIP CHAMOMILE TEA. Taking plant-based enzymes 40 minutes before meals can help with heartburn, says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. ENZYMES that help DIGEST food and PREVENT HEARTBURN are AMYLASE (which helps digest carbs), CELLULASE (which helps digest the fiber in fruits and veggies), and LIPASES (which help digest fattier foods).