Indigestion is a common problem after eating certain foods. Indigestion can be a feeling of pain, burning or discomfort in the abdomen. You might feel very full after eating a small amount of food or have bloating, gas or diarrhea. If eating cheese causes these symptoms to develop, it may be the result of various conditions, including lactose intolerance, a milk or mold allergy or other digestive conditions. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Lactose Intolerance
Cheese is made from milk, which contains a sugar called lactose. Lactose is easily digested during infancy and early childhood, but it becomes more difficult for some people to digest during adulthood, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Although most cheeses contain less lactose than other diary products, they still contain lactose. If you're lactose intolerant and you eat cheese, your symptoms typically develop within 20 to 30 minutes after ingesting the cheese. Common symptoms of this condition include diarrhea, bloating and gas.
Milk Allergy
It's possible that your indigestion is the result of a minor allergic reaction. Milk is a common food allergen that can cause various symptoms in your digestive system and other parts of your body. Common digestive symptoms from a milk allergy include bloating, gas, stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Other symptoms of a milk allergy include trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing, skin rashes, eczema, hives, facial swelling and nasal congestion. Eating cheese if you have a milk allergy could trigger a severe allergic reaction, even leading to life-threatening conditions.
Mold Allergy
Mold allergies are typically related to hay fever, an allergic reaction to airborne mold particles called spores. If you have a mold allergy, you may experience indigestion and other allergy-related symptoms from eating cheese. A mold allergy is the result of a hypersensitivity to the proteins found in mold. When you eat cheese your immune system malfunctions and triggers a chemical reaction throughout your body that leads to inflammation in soft tissues. Inflammation in your intestines causes the same symptoms as indigestion.
Considerations
If your indigestion symptoms continue or get worse over time, they may be the result of a digestive disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS is a common digestive condition that causes stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation after eating certain foods such as dairy products. Other common conditions that could cause indigestion from eating cheese include gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers.
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