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Watch your weight.

Exercise regularly. If you are obese or have problems losing weight, see your doctor or a licensed dietician for help.

Watch what you eat.

Avoid food triggers. Eat smaller, more frequent meals, rather than two or three large meals a day. Avoid excessive lifting and bending for at least an hour after you eat.

Never lie down immediately after eating.

Wait two to three hours before lying down. When you do sleep, lie on your left side, since your esophagus veers a bit to the left. Lying on your right side inadvertently straightens your esophagus, making it easier for acid to wash back up the food pipe.