I have a troublesome hiatal hernia. Drinking lukewarm boiled water helps me. I sleep propped up because I sometimes vomit small amounts of acid, which can be dangerous if you are asleep and lying flat. When mine is giving a lot of hassle I get a liquid on prescription to take at bedtime, as lack of sleep makes me feel even worse. The best ‘first aid’ for me are chewable Tums taken when an attack starts. These help, but are only a temporary solution, you really need to speak to a doctor to find out what’s causing it. It’s horrible and you have my sympathy x