Why does cow's milk make people cough/more phlegmy?

Question

(Could be other milks too but I have little experience with them.)

Most if not all of us in the western world have experienced coughing or gunk in our trachea/throats after drinking milk. In my case (and a few others I know) if I already have a cold a glass of milk can turn a little tickle into an hour or so of hacking and coughing.

Lots of pediatricians see babies and children with constant ear infections get well when they go off of milk.

What is the **mechanism** that makes this happen? Does it thicken phlegm? Cause you to produce more, or produce it in different places in your respiratory tract?

I found one site that claims a study showing this effect does not exist (but then fails give a reference!) I admit this is anecdotal, but it is SO pervasive that I think it is anecdotal in the same way that "diet can impact acne in puberty" is anecdotal.

Give me some citations to the claims. If not to journal articles then at least web links that mention the authors of such studies.

This is not a case of the mulk j "coating" the esophogous. I can bring up phlegm *from my respiratory tract* that simply is not there at other times. I can drink many glasses of water and eat a bunch of stuff and still, a half hour later, the phlegm is there.

Answer 1

milk products "coat " the throat, making one FEEL more phlegmy--there is no rule written in stone abut anything in medicine.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why does cow's milk make people cough/more phlegmy?
(Could be other milks too but I have little experience with them.)

Most if not all of us in the western world have experienced coughing or gunk in our trachea/throats after drinking milk. In my case (and a few others I know) if I already have a cold a glass of milk can turn a little tickle into...

Answer 3

When my mom was an older teen or in her young 20's (36-40 years ago) she was supposed to adopt this baby. The mother left the baby (about 6 months old) with her for several months. The baby had horrible diaper rash, had burns from a cigarette lighter, and had been fed nothing but cow's milk. My mom of course started caring for her and feeding her formula (but even the formula back then wasn't that much better than cow's milk) and arranging the adoption papers. Well long story short, the baby's mom changed her mind and came to my mom's house and kidnapped the baby back never to be seen again. She called the police since the baby was being abused but they never found her. Anyway, my point is that cow's milk keeps them alive. Its not the healthiest thing and doesn't promote good nutrition and brain development, but they can thrive on it. Back in the day all formula was was milk with sugar and corn syrup! Crazy, I know, the lengths people went to back then not to have to breastfeed.

Answer 4

I think this can be due to the allergy which is called 'cow milk induced Allergry' and basically caused by some protein in cow' s milk but i m not sure whether its that much common as you are telling that most of westeren world expreriences that.don't know the percentage of occurance of this allergy .

About babies getting ear infection so ther is some other reason for it. when babies are fed there should be proper position of feeding them whether breast feeding or bottle feeding. it should be with slightly raised head because our throat has direct relation with ear in pharynx through eustachian tube leading from pharnyx to middle ear cavity so if baby is feed in lying position with extended head ,milk will enter in middle ear through that tube and thus would result in ear infection , this is with all kind of milks not just cow milk.

Answer 5

Because it is mixed with some chemicals and it is not natural and because most of d cows have some diseases