Heartburn can cause mild to severe pain, and certain foods and actions, such as lying down right after a meal, can make heartburn worse. Milk, as long as it's low in fat, can help relieve heartburn. Of course, milk is not the only treatment for heartburn. If you experience chronic heartburn, consult your primary care physician.
Milk and Heartburn
Milk can help soothe heartburn, according to the American Pregnancy Association, which also recommends eating yogurt, which works just as well. While milk can help treat heartburn, it can aggravate or worsen some conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. It's important to know whether you have heartburn or something more serious, such as GERD.
Types
Since it is possible that you could have a more serious condition, especially if you suffer from frequent heartburn, it's important that you choose milk products carefully. Full-fat milk can worsen acid reflux and GERD. Opt for low-fat or fat-free dairy products to avoid worsening a potentially serious condition. Even if you opt for yogurt instead of milk to help reduce or alleviate heartburn, choose a low-fat or fat-free yogurt product.
Other Treatments
Antacids are available without a prescription in the form of chewable, chalk-like tablets, liquid medications and long-lasting medicated pills. Typically, antacid pills are taken once per day to help control stomach acid and treat heartburn when it's a symptom of a more complicated condition such as acid reflux or GERD. Liquid medications and chewable tablets are to help provide short-term, immediate relief.
Considerations
Heartburn can be mistaken for a more serious problem such as heart attack since heart attacks also are known to cause chest pain. A heart attack might closely mimic heartburn, but you also might experience shortness or breath, a tightening sensation around your chest and pain that spreads to your jaw, arms or back. If you have frequent heartburn and excess stomach acid, it's possible that it could damage your esophagus. Excess stomach acid needs prompt treatment to prevent further damage and you might need to address the problem on a daily or regular basis. Your doctor can help. Taking too many antacid tablets might interfere with other medications and cause additional problems, since the tablets often contain magnesium and calcium.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy and Heartburn; March 2007
- Drugs.com; Diet for Ulcers and Gastritis; May 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; Sept. 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Heartburn: Treatments and Drugs; Mayo Clinic Staff; May 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Heartburn or Chest Pain: When is it Heart Attack?; Mayo Clinic Staff; April 2011
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