Stomach bloating is a common symptom related to many digestive conditions. If you develop stomach bloating every time you eat blue cheese, you may have a chronic condition related to dairy or mold. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and to receive a clinical diagnosis of what is causing the bloating. Keep a food journal for a week that documents what foods you eat daily and how they affect your body.
Milk Intolerance
Milk intolerance is a common cause of bloating after eating dairy products. Milk intolerance is not the same condition as a milk allergy. Milk allergy symptoms are the result of an immune system reaction that causes digestive complications and other symptoms. Milk intolerance does not involve the immune system but is rather a malfunction of the digestive tract. Milk intolerance occurs when your small intestines fail to produce the enzymes needed to break down whey and casein proteins. If you are milk intolerant, you can develop diarrhea within 30 minutes of eating blue cheese or up to four hours afterward.
Mold Allergy
Blue cheese contains mold and may trigger an allergic reaction in your body if you have a known mold allergy. Most mold allergies are related to airborne mold spores caused by hay fever, but if you're allergic to mold spores, avoid eating blue cheese and other foods that contain mold, according to the Cleveland Clinic. During a mold allergy, chemicals are produced in the lining of the intestines that cause inflammation and irritation that lead to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and bloating. A mold allergy can cause a severe allergic reaction, which can lead to life-threatening symptoms, such as the inability to breathe, an increased heart rate and a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Lactose Intolerance
Blue cheese contains lactose and can cause bloating if you're lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is caused by the inability of your digestive system to produce lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. If you've been diagnosed with lactose intolerance, take a lactase supplement before the first bite of blue cheese to prevent bloating. Talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Consideration
If you notice that you've developed chronic bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation after eating blue cheese and other foods, you may have a more serious digestive condition. Common conditions that can cause chronic bloating include Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases.
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