Internal Medicine

Milk for heartburn- does it really help?

How is milk supposed to work against heartburn?

With heartburn (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), stomach acid rising into the esophagus irritates the mucous membrane. This creates the typical dull, burning pain behind the breastbone. In addition, there are symptoms such as acid regurgitation or stomach pain.

Many sufferers use home remedies as first aid to get relief for themselves. For example, drinking milk is said to alleviate the symptoms of heartburn: On the one hand, milk as an additional liquid dilutes the stomach acid in the stomach. On the other hand, the milk should neutralize the acid produced by the stomach lining. This should be done via the protein contained in the milk: The protein buffers the acids from the stomach and thus ensures a calming effect. However, this assumption is out of date and has even been partially refuted.

Can it make symptoms worse?

It is questionable whether the milk has a positive effect on the symptoms of heartburn. Scientists even suspect that drinking milk can have negative effects on the symptoms of heartburn: On the one hand, milk has a slightly acidic pH value. Since the effect of the milk is supposed to be the buffering and thus neutralizing of the stomach acid, this is only possible to a limited extent. On the other hand, the gastric acid production is even stimulated by the milk.

Since around 15% of the German population are lactose intolerant, the home remedy can intensify the symptoms and even cause further digestive problems. For example, stomach pain and diarrhea may also increase. So, in general, although milk may provide relief in some people, it is recommended not to use milk or dairy products such as yogurt to treat symptoms for heartburn.

What are other alternatives?

In addition to a change in lifestyle such as abstaining from niktoin, coffee and alcohol, small meals low in carbohydrates and fat and weight normalization, various medications - some with prescription, some without a prescription - can be taken to treat the symptoms of heartburn.

Antacids with ingredients like magnesium or aluminum hydroxide are good for the treatment of occasional heartburn and are available over the counter at pharmacies. The alkaline hydroxide ion contained in the drug binds and neutralizes the acid in the stomach. Antacids can also help protect the lining of the esophagus. Antacids are taken when needed and work within a few minutes.

If the symptoms persist or the symptoms increase, a doctor should be consulted. They can prescribe prescription drugs that are more suitable for longer treatment. The most important drug for heartburn is the so-called proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.). This drug works by blocking a transporter in the lining of the stomach that is responsible for transporting acids to the stomach. This often leads to quick relief of the symptoms. Due to the strong acidic reduction, the drug ensures that a mucous membrane damaged by the acid can recover. The drug must be taken regularly for a certain period of time.

Another group of drugs are the so-called H2 blockers such as ranitidine or cimetidine. These drugs bind to the H2 receptor in the stomach, thereby reducing acid production. Since the H2 blockers have more side effects and are not as effective as the proton pump inhibitors, they are only second choice. Prokinetics such as metoclopramide are rarely prescribed drugs. Prokinetics increase the so-called gastric passage, i.e. that they shorten the time the food stays in the stomach. This happens on the one hand through an increase in motility, i.e. through increased mobility of the gastrointestinal tract to transport food more quickly and through a relaxation of the muscle at the gastric outlet (pylorus), whereby the food can be released from the stomach into the intestine more quickly.

You can find natural alternatives for heartburn on this page: Home remedies for heartburn

Medical evaluation by

Since the relieving effect of milk on heartburn is very controversial and the damaging or intensifying effect on the symptoms is heavily discussed, you should not drink milk for heartburn. Because the constant belching of stomach acid can severely damage the mucous membrane of the esophagus, home remedies should generally be avoided and a doctor's visit should be considered if the pain recurs. Medicines that have been proven to be effective are recommended to prevent the disease from progressing and damage to the mucous membranes.