Abdominal pain after milk
introduction
If stomach pains occur after consuming milk, the cause could be an intolerance to lactose. This is a digestive disorder, as a result of which the lactose cannot be broken down and absorbed sufficiently. In addition to the abdominal pain, typical symptoms such as gas, diarrhea and nausea can then appear.
Another, but rarer, cause is a milk protein allergy. The allergy can be directed against different proteins. There are several test methods that can be used to diagnose such an allergy.
In any case, you should refrain from consuming the incompatible milk components in order to avoid discomfort. For example, you can switch to lactose-free milk. The adequate calcium intake must be checked if you do not consume milk.
You might also be interested in: Rash from milk or Diarrhea after consuming milk - what's behind it?
causes
Lactose intolerance
Abdominal pain after consuming milk can be an indication of a Lactose intolerance be. Milk sugar, also called lactose, is found in breast milk and in the milk of mammals. Lactose is made up of two different sugars and has to be broken down by the body in order to digest it and absorb it into the blood. This cleavage is done by the enzyme Lactase executed. When this enzyme not functional is can the milk sugar not digested properly be and this leads to physical discomfort. These make themselves in Flatulence, one Bloating, diarrhea and nausea noticeable that occur after consuming milk and dairy products. The symptoms can already 15 to 30 minutes after consumption occur, but sometimes it takes up to 2 hours for them to be noticeable. Overall, around every seventh German is affected by lactose intolerance.
In rare cases there is lactose intolerance innate and the infants are deficient in the enzyme lactase. You will then not tolerate the breast milk and it is important to recognize this in good time in order to replace it with another preparation.
Normally, however, babies in particular have a high level of enzyme activity and this decreases in the course of life. So can a lactose intolerance occur even at a later age and to some extent is even normal. She can too triggered by various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract become. Also the Use of certain medications, how Antibiotics, can temporarily lead to impaired lactase function.
Milk protein allergy
Abdominal pain after drinking milk does not necessarily have to be a symptom of lactose intolerance. They can also occur due to other components of milk.
An allergy to milk protein is much rarer than lactose intolerance. The milk protein allergy is a food allergy and can be directed against various proteins in milk. These include the whey protein on the one hand and caseins on the other. Depending on the severity, different dairy products can be consumed, while others cause severe symptoms. However, those affected are often allergic to both forms of protein. Some people are only allergic to cow's milk protein, while others are allergic to all milk proteins.
The symptoms of a milk protein allergy are similar to those of lactose intolerance, but are usually more pronounced.
More on this: Milk protein allergy
Abdominal pain after lactose-free milk
Also lactose free milk usually contains one very small proportion of lactose. If you drink too much lactose-free milk with an existing intolerance, the Tolerance limit exceeded and it can still lead to abdominal pain.
If you experience abdominal pain after drinking lactose-free milk, so can a Intolerance to other components of milk exist. Here come mainly Milk proteins in question, of which there are several. Depending on which proteins the allergy is against, these must be avoided.
Abdominal pain after rice pudding
Rice pudding is a widespread dish, especially in Germany, but also internationally, which is very popular both as a main course and as a dessert or snack. On average, around 4 servings of rice pudding contain around one liter of milk. The amount of milk can vary, but of course there is a considerable amount in this dish.
For people with a Lactose intolerance this can be a problem: after consumption, bulging pain, gas or even diarrhea are possible. However, the symptoms are highly dependent on the individual. Approximately 15% of Germans have such a lactose intolerance. However, this is often not a problem at all and, provided you do not consume dairy products extensively, there are no complaints. Depending on the amount consumed and the severity of the intolerance, however, symptoms may arise.
Therefore, it is not possible to give precise information on the amount of rice pudding from which a person with lactose intolerance will experience abdominal pain. However, if you don't want to do without the rice pudding, you can simply reduce the amount. If that doesn't help, there is of course the option of his Rice pudding with lactose-free milk to prepare. In the case of a real lactose intolerance, the stomach pain should then no longer occur.
Also taking Lactase can be considered if you plan to eat dairy foods. This enzyme helps digest dairy products.
Abdominal pain after coffee with milk
There are several reasons for experiencing abdominal pain after consuming white coffee. One possible cause is lactose intolerance. Due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase, dairy products cannot be digested properly. This leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and gas. Depending on the extent of the intolerance, even small amounts of milk, for example in a milk coffee, can lead to symptoms.
? Tip: Leave the milk off for a few days. If your symptoms improve, it is very likely that you are lactose intolerant.
To get around the problem, you can switch to lactose-free milk or to soy or almond milk.
Also read: Diarrhea after consuming milk - what's behind it?
Another possible reason for the abdominal pain after the white coffee is that it contains caffeine. Abdominal pain or even heartburn can occur, especially with large amounts of caffeinated coffee, because acid production in the stomach is stimulated.
Above all, people with previous gastric illnesses, such as gastric mucosal inflammation or with a corresponding predisposition, have an increased risk of abdominal pain after consuming coffee. There is an alternative decaffeinated coffee which is generally better tolerated.
Reducing the amount you eat can also help. Furthermore, you can try out different types of coffee and preparation forms and thus possibly find a coffee that is better for you.
Stomach pain in the morning
Abdominal pain occurs after consuming milk often in the morning because many people consume a lot of dairy products at this time of day. That too Drink milk on an empty stomach in the morning he can trigger for the abdominal pain that occurs. Often there are no symptoms when the milk is drunk in conjunction with other foods.
Abdominal pain after milk intake in children
A Lactose intolerance comes above all very rare in infants in front. Since they normally only feed on breast milk, the lactase enzyme, which breaks down milk sugar, is very active in babies.
Does the child suffer from one congenital lactose intolerance, it must Mother avoid dairy products while breastfeedingto spare the baby discomfort such as abdominal pain. Lactose-free variants are also available for other milk preparations these days.
Infants and young children can also use one temporary lactose intolerance Suffer. This is due to the fact that in children the intestinal mucous membrane is not yet fully developed and the enzymes for breaking down the lactose are not yet fully functional.
If infants and children have abdominal pain after consuming milk, one is suspected Milk protein allergy closer. This is often also expressed through Rashes and itching. Often one disappears Cow's milk allergy within the first years of life, the child should be examined again when the child reaches school age.
diagnosis
Diagnosis of lactose intolerance
To a lactose intolerance too diagnose, the doctor can perform the so-called hydrogen breath test. After being fasted for twelve hours, the patient then drinks lactose dissolved in water and then breathes into a specific device. If the enzyme lactase is missing, the milk sugar cannot be broken down and is broken down by bacteria in the intestine. These produce hydrogen, which in turn can be measured in the exhaled breath.
Diagnosis of a milk protein allergy
To prove a milk protein allergy, a so-called Prick test carried out by placing a drop of milk protein on the skin and then lightly scratching the skin. In the case of an existing allergy, a skin reaction such as reddening and possible swelling and blistering will appear after a short time. Also one Blood test Specific antibodies against milk proteins can lead to the diagnosis.
Treatment / What to do
In the case of abdominal pain after consuming milk, therapy can be carried out by changing diet or substituting lactase, depending on the cause.
The simplest form of treatment for a Lactose intolerance is on Avoid products that contain milk sugar. Nowadays, almost all foods can be bought without lactose. However, most people with lactose intolerance can still tolerate small amounts of milk. As long as they only consume small doses of dairy products, there are often no symptoms. Here it is important to try out how much the body can handle.
With an existing Milk protein allergy must the Food switched and depending on which proteins the allergy is directed against, certain or all dairy products should be avoided.
Milk can get through plant-based milk, such as oat milk, soy milk, coconut or rice milk can be substituted. These alternatives to cow's milk also cater to the needs of the human body calcium cover up. Calcium is found in large quantities in milk and is important for building bones. If milk is avoided in the context of lactose intolerance, care should be taken to ensure that the Cover your calcium needs with other foods. There is a lot of calcium in broccoli, spinach, kale and fruit. Mineral water with a high calcium content is also available.
Another option is to use the enzyme Lactase through the Taking capsules or powder too replace. The preparation should be taken before the consumption of dairy products and it enables the milk ingested with food to be digested in the intestines.
Also Probiotics can be helpful in the case of lactose intolerance. These are certain bacteria and fungi that are found in some foods, such as natural yoghurt, and can also digest lactose.
- Diet for lactose intolerance.
- What to do with stomach pain
With the child
At a congenital lactose intolerance should the Mother avoid dairy products while breastfeeding, or use lactose-free milk supplements for the baby.
Is there a Milk protein allergy with the child, it stands Avoiding foods with milk in the first place of therapy. If the child is still being breastfed, the mother should follow a strict diet.
With a diet without dairy products, there is a risk, especially for children, of the Calcium requirement not met becomes. Lactose-free milk also contains a lot of calcium - so if it is tolerated there is no risk. Otherwise, broccoli, kale, almonds, and bananas are high in calcium. The child's calcium supply should regularly checked by a pediatrician become.
