Milk may do your body good, but it could affect your colon if you have certain medical conditions. Your colon is another name for your large intestine, the last part of your digestive system that forces waste through your anus. While many people may have no complications from drinking milk, certain digestive conditions could cause problems in your colon from consuming dairy products. The most common digestive conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance and milk-protein intolerance. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
One in five Americans has irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. IBS is a chronic condition that is directly related to your colon. Although the cause of this condition is still unclear, it's known that IBS causes erratic muscle movements in your colon. Your colon is lined with muscles that help move waste down towards your anus. Pressure placed on your anus causes contractions that trigger a bowel movement. Certain foods can trigger these erratic movements, such as milk, according to MayoClinic.com.
Lactose Intolerance
Milk contains a specific type of sugar called lactose that's not found in other foods. When you were a baby, your intestines produced large amount of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose into more simple sugars for absorption. As you age, you stop producing as much lactase, which could lead to lactose intolerance. If you're lactose intolerant, lactose doesn't get digested in your small intestine. When the undigested lactose enters the colon, bacteria digest the sugar, resulting in diarrhea, gas and bloating, according to MayoClinic.com.
Milk-Protein Intolerance
Milk-protein intolerance causes a similar result as lactose intolerance, but it is caused not by the sugar in milk, but by the proteins. While milk proteins are responsible for a milk allergy, they can also cause colon complications if your system cannot digest the proteins found in milk. A milk allergy is unrelated to the digestive system and is the result of an immune system reaction. Milk-protein intolerance is incurable, and you will need to develop a dairy-free diet under the direction of your doctor and dietician.
Complications
If drinking milk causes excessive diarrhea, you may develop blood in your stool from excessive wiping or an anal fissure, a tear in your anus. If you notice blood in your stool, make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the cause. Avoid all milk-based products until you receive a clinical diagnosis.
Member Comments