In addition to common analgesics, coffee and tight clothing, some of the everyday factors that can trigger and exacerbate heartburn are:
. Eating heavy meals or eating too fast
. Eating foods that can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, including chocolate, garlic, onions, tomatoes and citrus fruit
. Lying down immediately after a meal
. Smoking after eating
. Stress

How (not so) sweet it is!

We've all heard the expression 'death by chocolate'. Now perhaps it's not such a far-fetched concept after all. Not that people die from acid reflux (or from chocolate), however it's a well established fact that chocolate can cause heartburn.

Heartburn occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) either relaxes or closes incompletely due to pressure on the sphincter (from weight, overeating, pregnancy, tight and restrictive clothing). And that's exactly what both chocolate and mint are suspected of doing. They cause the LES to relax, which allows the contents of the stomach to back up into the esophagus.

So, if you are already prone to heartburn, maybe it's time to put a cap on your sweet tooth... at least when it comes to chocolate. You'll feel better for it.
Source: American College of Gastroenterology MDX Health Digest

It Could Drive you to Drink!

Alcohol consumption affects everyone differently. For some, a beer or cocktail is a way to unwind and relax. But for others, the relaxation that takes place involves the LES, or the lower esophageal sphincter, and this can trigger heartburn.

Drinking alcohol can contribute to heartburn in several ways. Alcohol consumption can increase the relaxation of the LES - the natural valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach and out of the esophagus - allowing acid to reflux, or flow backward, into the esophagus when it normally would not. The acid irritates the wall of the esophagus, causing heartburn. Alcohol can also trigger heartburn by causing the progressive contractions that occur with swallowing to become erratic. Normally, the muscles of the esophagus contract and relax in order to carry food from the throat to the stomach, and to prevent acids from backing up from the stomach into the esophagus. An irregular rhythm can allow acid to enter the esophagus and trigger heartburn symptoms.

In addition to affecting the function of the LES, drinking beer and wine can increase the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Alcohol can also make the esophagus more sensitive to harsh acid, and cause inflammation, or swelling, in its protective lining.
Source: http://www.heartburnalliance.org/section3/alcohol.jsp

Meals and Alcohol Consumption - Moderation is Key

Because alcohol can increase acid production and cause acid to reflux into the esophagus, any amount of alcohol consumed with a large meal can further predispose you to heartburn. However, keeping your alcohol consumption during meals to more moderate amounts (one to two mixed drinks, 12 to 16 ounces of wine, or two to three beers) can limit the severity and duration of heartburn symptoms triggered by alcohol.
Alcohol is just one of many triggers that can bring on heartburn. Learning to recognize what triggers heartburn for you is an important step toward preventing the condition. By recording daily activities associated with your heartburn episodes and lessening or avoiding these triggers, you may be able to prevent or lessen the severity of your heartburn. Each person's body responds differently, so you should make individual changes that work for you.
Source: Digestive Diseases Sciences, 1997