How To Tell If You’re Sensitive To Dairy

Dairy is a phenomenal source of protein and calcium, which means incorporating it into your diet on a regular basis is great for building and maintaining muscles, as well as keeping your bones and teeth strong.

However, for some people, the consumption of dairy is something that can cause much distress! It’s only a sign that they are sensitive to dairy. According to medical professionals, such is caused by the failure to have casein and lactose digested properly. Casein and lactose, respectively, are types of protein and sugar present in milk.

Fortunately for those who are sensitive to dairy, there are tons of alternatives available on the current market which let them live normal lives without feeling much the impact of staying away from dairy.

Do you suffer from all sorts of unfavorable signs and symptoms after consuming anything dairy or has dairy in it? Then continue reading. Below you will find some of the things that reveal that you may be sensitive to dairy.

Headaches

Being bugged by headaches after consuming dairy may point to the fact that you are intolerant to anything that is made from or contains milk. While it’s true that it is a delight to enjoy ice cream and coffee with whipped cream, a person with dairy sensitivity can end up with a terrible headache or even migraine attack afterwards.

Body Pain

It’s not just your head that may hurt if you are sensitive to dairy and you happen to consume something with dairy in it, but also your joints. Isn’t it funny because dairy is a great source of calcium which helps in strengthening the bones? Well, it is an entirely different story for someone who has dairy sensitivity!

GI Issues

Since someone who is sensitive to dairy has a problem with the digestion of casein and/or lactose, it can be expected for the tummy to hurt after the consumption of anything that has dairy in it. Some people who have dairy sensitivity end up with either diarrhea or constipation. The buildup of excess gas can be expected, too, resulting in bloating.

Mood Swings

There are some people who feel depressed, irritable or anxious after eating foods containing dairy, and it can be a sign that they are actually sensitive to dairy. According to medical experts, the impact of dairy to the mood is more pronounced in children who are sensitive to dairy.

Acne

It’s no secret that bacteria and inflammation are the reasons behind a nasty bout of acne. However, skin experts say that acne is sometimes due to dairy sensitivity. While protein in dairy and dairy-based products are actually good for your skin, avoiding dairy is a smart move if you are sensitive to it.

Hives

Other than acne, some people develop hives, which is characterized by the appearance of pale-red bumps on the skin. As one would expect, hives can cause a burning sensation or excessive itchiness. It’s an utter no-no to scratch those bumps because things can get complicated when an infection strikes.

Body Odor

You’re quite happy with your hygiene practices but you are unhappy with the way you smell. Perhaps it’s due to sensitivity to dairy, medical professionals say. This is the fact that your body cannot properly metabolize dairy. Foul-smelling compounds are produced because of such, which can have an impact on the way your body smells.

If you are experiencing any or all of these signs and symptoms, consider taking dairy away from your regular diet. Do you see improvements? After a few days, try consuming dairy once more. If the signs and symptoms show up all over again, then it’s very much likely that you are sensitive to dairy. If you are continuously bothered by those unfavorable reactions, consulting a doctor is a good idea.

To schedule an appointment with one of our medical professionals, call 03 5229 5192 (Myers Street Family Medical Practice) or 03 5241 6129 (The Cottage Medical Centre).

Article originally appeared on HealthDigezt.