Cramping in the stomach from drinking milk can be caused by various medical conditions, but the most common reasons include lactose intolerance, a milk allergy and milk intolerance. If you develop stomach cramping and pain every time you ingest milk, stop eating dairy products and call your doctor for further evaluation. Some conditions related to problems drinking milk can lead to further complications. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself based solely on your symptoms. You need a clinical diagnosis from a medical professional.
Lactose Intolerance
The most common cause of stomach cramps after drinking milk is lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found only in milk. Like any sugar, lactose needs to be broken down and simplified by the digestive system so it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Enzymes are chemicals the body produces that are specifically created to digest certain sugars and proteins in foods. The enzyme needed to properly digest lactose is called lactase. If you are deficient in lactase, you will develop cramping, bloating, diarrhea, gas and abdominal pain when you drink milk.
Milk Allergy
A milk allergy and lactose intolerance are easily confused because they produce similar digestive symptoms. The main difference between the two conditions, which makes it easy to identify a milk allergy, is the type of symptoms that accompany your gastric symptoms. A milk allergy will cause cramping along with sinus congestion, hives, eczema, skin inflammation, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness, as well as swelling of the face, tongue or lips. A milk allergy is a serious immune system reaction that can lead to serious complications.
Milk Intolerance
Milk intolerance is not the same as lactose intolerance or a milk allergy. Like lactose intolerance, milk intolerance does not involve the immune system. It is the inability to digest the proteins found in milk: casein and whey. Milk intolerance mostly occurs in young children and is often outgrown by adulthood. Milk intolerance will cause cramping, diarrhea and stomach pain within a half-hour after ingesting milk.
Treatment
The symptoms of lactose intolerance are treated by taking a lactase supplement or purchasing milk that is lactose-free. The lactase supplement replaces the deficient lactase in your digestive system so you can properly digest the milk sugar. A milk allergy and milk intolerance are incurable and are only treated through avoidance of all dairy products.
