---
id: KATHY_prairie-doc-when-heartburn-keeps-coming-back-acid-reflux-gerd-dr-andrew-ellsworth
title: "When Heartburn Keeps Coming Back: notes from The Prairie Doc"
category: Health
corpus_topic: Health
summary: "Kathy Leask shares Dr. Andrew Ellsworth's Prairie Doc column on heartburn and acid reflux: common causes, simple changes that help, when to see a doctor, and what an EGD is."
keypoints:
  - "Heartburn and acid reflux are common; about one in four people have them at least weekly."
  - "Smaller meals, fewer trigger foods, less caffeine and alcohol, no tobacco, and not eating near bedtime often help."
  - "Frequent or ongoing heartburn is worth discussing with a healthcare provider."
  - "Long-term reflux can harm the esophagus; a doctor may suggest an EGD (upper endoscopy)."
tags: [heartburn, acid-reflux, gerd, prairie-doc, andrew-ellsworth, health, kathy-leask]
consent: approved
agent: rosie
created: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
date: 2026-10-08
vault_stage: 07_CODEX
enrich_status: ok
enrich_method: bot
pipeline_filename: KATHY_prairie-doc-when-heartburn-keeps-coming-back-acid-reflux-gerd-dr-andrew-ellsworth.md
content_status: approved
routing_source: carbon
prefix: KATHY
headwaters: Kathy Leask
asker_site: dkleask.com
source_kind: owner_request_article
source_author: "Dr. Andrew Ellsworth, The Prairie Doc"
question: "What should I know when heartburn keeps coming back?"
---

# When Heartburn Keeps Coming Back: notes from The Prairie Doc

*Shared by Kathy Leask*

Kathy came across this column by Dr. Andrew Ellsworth, a family physician at Avera Medical Clinic in Brookings, South Dakota, and wanted to keep it here.

## What he says

- Heartburn and acid reflux are common. About one in four people have them at least once a week.
- Small changes often help. Eat smaller meals, cut back on spicy or acidic foods and chocolate, have less caffeine and alcohol, skip tobacco, lose extra weight, don't eat close to bedtime, and raise the head of the bed.
- Some medicines can bring reflux on, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, the antibiotic doxycycline, and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
- An occasional antacid like Tums is fine for mild heartburn now and then. A short course of omeprazole or famotidine may also help.
- If it's frequent or keeps coming back, talk with your doctor. Daily acid-reducing medicine works well for many people, but long-term use should be checked now and then, using the lowest dose for the shortest time.
- Reflux that goes on for years can harm the esophagus, sometimes leading to Barrett's esophagus, which raises the risk of cancer. A doctor may suggest an EGD (a look at the esophagus and stomach with a small camera). It needs no bowel prep, only an empty stomach.

His take-home is to talk with your provider if heartburn keeps coming back, and not to overlook diet and lifestyle. "Your stomach, and your esophagus, will thank you."

*This is a summary of Dr. Ellsworth's Prairie Doc column, kept for reference. It isn't medical advice.*