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- $Unique_ID{BRK01418}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Will Milk Make Heartburn Worse?}
- $Subject{stomach heart burn treatment digestive system milk heartburn acid
- esophagus antacid baking soda heartburns digestion indigestion acids antacids}
- $Volume{I-10}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Will Milk Make Heartburn Worse?
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- QUESTION: While visiting our children for the holidays, I was taken with an
- unusual attack of heart burn. I didn't want to disturb my daughter-in-law, so
- quietly asked for a glass of milk. Of course she figured it out, but then
- refused to serve me the milk, saying it would make it worse. She offered me
- some baking soda in water instead. Can you explain her thinking for me. The
- mixture really did help.
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-
- ANSWER: Your daughter in law has been reading some medical tips in her
- magazines, and was correct. Heartburn, which has nothing to do with the
- heart, is caused when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. While the
- sensation of cold milk may soothe the burning for a moment or two, the extra
- milk in the stomach may stimulate the stomach to produce even more acid, and
- cause the situation to worsen. The trick is to neutralize the extra acid in
- the stomach. An over-the-counter antacid will work nicely in most cases, but
- 1/2 a teaspoonful of ordinary baking soda in a glass of water will also do the
- job. These are great solutions to a disturbing problem provided it only
- happens infrequently. When heartburn persists, or recurs regularly, you would
- be well advised to check with your doctor.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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