DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Since my 59th birthday six months ago, I have had heartburn. My mother also had it and was forever taking Tums, milk of magnesia or sodium bicarb. I am following in her footsteps. I frequently wake up during the night with heartburn. What are today’s medicines? What foods are bad for me? Thanks for your help. — J.M.

ANSWER: Heartburn — a peculiar and misleading name — is now called GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease. “Reflux” indicates that stomach acid and digestive juices are spurting into the esophagus, a place that’s not equipped to handle them like the stomach can. The result is a burning pain.

The pain comes on most often after a meal. Nighttime pain indicates a significant degree of GERD. You have treatment opportunities that your mother didn’t have.

First, make some life changes. Because you have nocturnal pain, put 6- to 8-inch blocks under the bedposts at the head of your bed to keep stomach acid in the stomach throughout the night. If you’re overweight, lose some pounds. You’ll be surprised what a difference that makes. Foods that can give you trouble are fried and fatty foods, chocolate, mints, many carbonated soft drinks, alcohol, tomato products and orange juice. You’re the best judge of what not to eat. Whatever increases your pain, delete from your menu.

If pain is episodic and not severe, antacids are all you need for treatment. For more persistent pain, drugs called histamine antagonists work: Pepcid, Axid AR, Zantac and cimetidine. For truly bad pain, step up to drugs that stop acid production. They’re called proton pump inhibitors: Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex, Prilosec OTC and Prevacid 24 Hours. The latter two do not require a prescription.

The booklet on hiatal hernia and GERD discusses these matters in great detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 501, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have taken a number of blood pressure medicines. Either they didn’t lower my pressure or they made me feel awful. I am now on Norvasc.

About a week after starting it, my ankles began to swell. I told my doctor, but he said to continue with it. I think he’s disgusted with me because I have had such trouble taking the medicines he has prescribed.

Do you think I should continue with this medicine? — N.P.

ANSWER: Norvasc can cause ankle swelling. No one can argue that point with you.

Rather than calling the doctor, why not make an appointment to see him? He won’t be able to deny what his eyes see. I’m positive he’ll change your medicine without dismissing your complaint.

If he’s unwilling to make a change, you make a change of doctors.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have to take one Colace capsule every day. If I don’t, I become constipated. When I take the Colace, I don’t have that problem.

I once had a doctor scare me from taking laxatives. He made it sound like I would do great harm to my body by using them. I won’t take Colace if it’s damaging my intestines. — L.G.

ANSWER: Colace isn’t a laxative; it’s a stool softener. You can take it daily without any fear that you’re damaging your digestive tract.

Today, doctors are not so adamant about strictly limiting the use of laxatives. If people need something stronger than a stool softener, they can take it without worrying about causing harm to the colon.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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