Diary foods can help relieve heartburn and indigestion, according to the American Pregnancy Association. For those who are lactose intolerant, or choose not to use milk to relieve indigestion, there are over-the-counter medications to help relieve indigestion. Calcium, a common ingredient used in OTC medications, is used to help relieve indigestion in addition to other minerals such as aluminum and magnesium.
Defining Indigestion
Indigestion is a medical term that describes an uncomfortable feeling of fullness during or after a meal or a burning pain in your upper abdomen. This means you may feel full after you've only had a few bites to eat or feel that you've overeaten a great deal but hardly ate much at your meal. The burning that's associated with indigestion may feel as if you have a sensation of heat that radiates from your chest bone to your naval. The pain will occur in the same area as the burning sensation.
Treatment
Treating indigestion is a priority to those who suffer some or all of the symptoms associated with indigestion. A glass of milk or a container of yogurt may help relieve the painful burning sensation. You may also use milk of magnesia, or magnesium hydroxide, to relieve indigestion since it is an antacid. Over-the-counter antacid tablets containing calcium, magnesium or aluminum can also help alleviate symptoms.
Causes
Indigestion, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, can be caused by a variety of conditions such as pregnancy, peptic ulcers, cancer, abnormality of the pancreas or bile ducts or by a condition of the digestive tract such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Sometimes overeating or eating spicy foods or foods that upset your stomach can cause indigestion.
Considerations
If your doctor approves of the use of antacids, discuss how much and how often you should take them. Inform your doctor of other medications that you may take, whether over-the-counter or prescription drugs, as antacids can interact with other medications such as certain antibiotics, digoxin and nitrofurantoin. If you experience indigestion on a frequent basis, this is also something you should inform your doctor of. Indigestion may be a sign of a serious condition, such as peptic ulcer disease, that could warrant prompt medical attention.
