Heartburn is a burning sensation felt in the chest region. Usually, this burning sensation is experienced at night because most people do not allow sufficient time for digestion after eating. This will result in stomach acids flowing back from the stomach to the upper abdominal region and on to the esophagus.
Most people also drink a glass of warm milk before going to sleep. It may be that they need this to help them get to sleep. Others, however, drink it in the belief that milk prevents the occurrence of heartburn.
This may be true but there are also underlying facts in the association between milk and heartburn. Milk has some of the components that will help in producing a soothing effect in the esophagus, consequently providing relief from heartburn. Even if milk produces a soothing effect on the esophagus, however, it also consists of various proteins and fat that will further stimulate the stomach into producing more acid in the stomach. This is known as a rebound action. This will result in serious heartburn problems at a later time. Thus, milk is not considered as an effective heartburn remedy.
On the other hand, milk can still be helpful if fat-free skim milk, or 1%-2% milk, is used. This is also readily available in any large supermarket. You can use skim milk as a quick fix if you don’t have any of your antacids at hand, but the technique is sipping just small amounts of milk and sipping upright for half an hour to get some relief. Make sure, though, that you do not drink too much of this milk at bedtime since it may still cause a burning sensation. It will also be helpful to eat smaller meals a day, although more frequently. This will prevent you from sleeping on a full stomach, which is more likely the cause of heartburn than excessive acid production.
Alternatives For Milk In The Treatment Of Heartburn:
Chewing gum
One of the best alternatives is chewing gum. The gum will stimulate saliva production, and saliva is known as an acid buffer. Thus, by chewing often, more saliva is being swallowed. This will reduce the burning sensation and will provide a soothing effect in the chest region. Make sure, though, that the chewing gum is sugar-free to likewise protect your teeth.
Water
Water is also considered another alternative to milk for people suffering from heartburn. You should take a large glass of water immediately as soon as heartburn is felt. Water will push the stomach acids back towards the stomach from the esophagus, and will help relieve the heartburn.
Apple cider vinegar
Vinegar is another good alternative for milk in the prevention of heartburn. The excess amount of acid is not always the reason for the heartburn. The valve in the esophagus should close once the acids backflow. If this does not happen, it will result in heartburn. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid and is basically acidic. If you take one tablespoon of vinegar at the time of heartburn, then the acid will flow from the esophagus to the stomach and will cause the esophagus valve to close, thereby preventing the backflow of the acids from the stomach to the esophagus. Make sure that the amount of vinegar used does not exceed one tablespoon.
