If the condition is caused by the patient’s lifestyle habits, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux caused by eating excessively irritating foods, or by increased intra-abdominal pressure due to factors such as pregnancy or obesity, it can usually heal itself and the symptoms can be relieved once the relevant factors are removed. However, if symptoms persist or worsen after improving lifestyle habits, medication or surgery is required and one cannot hope for a self-cure.