Milk can lull a scared child back to sleep, it can calm a colicky baby and some believe it can cure a common stomachache. While milk does work wonders for some people, it may make others much worse. To discover whether milk is right for your stomachache, you should first determine the cause of your pain. If the cause is unclear, you should see a doctor to rule out any possible health problems.
Soothing Effects
Like many antacids, milk is full of calcium. Calcium helps to calm an upset stomach by improving your stomachs pH balance. Milk is also thicker than most beverages. This allows it to coat the lining of your stomach, making milk a good option to take with NSAID medications to avoid stomach upset. Additionally, a study performed by Hammersmith Hospital and Leicester General Hospital shows that certain milk attained from cows within a few days of giving birth, can cure ulcerative colitis. This milk may also improve other stomach problems and injuries. This is due to the high levels of colostrum found in the milk of these cows.
Lactose Troubles
Many adults have a difficult time digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk. This may result in an array of stomach and digestion problems from a stomachache to diarrhea. If you notice that your stomach often feels funny after drinking milk, milk is not likely to soothe your current stomach pain and may make it worse. However, low-fat or fat-free yogurts have many of the same soothing properties as milk with less lactose. Yogurt also has live cultures that aid digestion, so you may consider substituting a glass of milk for yogurt.
Other Problems
Lactose is not the only problematic aspect of milk. If you have a stomachache as the result of an ulcer or heartburn, milk may exacerbate your problem further, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While milk may ease your ulcer pain temporarily, drinking milk unnecessarily raises the acid levels in your stomach, causing more long-term pain.
Alternative Solutions
If you are experiencing continued stomach pain and milk does not seem to be helping but you want natural relief, you have many options still available to you. First, avoid smoking and alcohol, as both can irritate the stomach. Limit your intake of caffeine and anti-inflammatory pain relievers like ibuprofen. Eat small meals frequently, avoiding fatty foods, foods high in acidity and spicy foods. Last, try sleeping in a propped up position to avoid acid rising into your esophagus. If none of these solutions cure your stomachache naturally, you should talk to your doctor about possible medications.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Lactose Intolerance; June 2009
- BBC News; Milk Eases Stomach Injuries; July 2001
- Cleveland Clinic; Peptic Ulcer Disease; October 2008
- Daily Mail Online; Why Milk Isn't the Answer for Stomach Ulcers; Dr. John Briffa
- Mayo Clinic; Nonulcer Stomach Pain; November 2009
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