Despite all of yogurt's health benefits, if you feel sick to your stomach after consuming the diary product, you should avoid it altogether. Yogurt is made with milk, which can trigger various symptoms that can make you feel sick if you have an allergy to dairy, you're intolerant of lactose of you've been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. An overall sick feeling may be the result of food poisoning. Your doctor can provide you with a clinical diagnosis.
Hypersensitivity to Milk
Milk is one of the most common food allergens that can trigger a wide range of symptoms. If you're hypersensitive to milk, the lining of the digestive system will become inflamed from allergy-related chemicals being released in your body. MayoClinic.com states that the body will release immunoglobulin E antibodies, histamine and other chemicals after you ingest diary proteins. Do not eat yogurt if you have a milk allergy because it could lead to severe allergic reaction and life-threatening symptoms.
Enzyme Deficiency
If the digestive system is deficient of lactase, a digestive enzyme, you may have difficulty digesting the sugar found in yogurt, which commonly leads to stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea. Although yogurt contains less lactose, milk-sugar, if you're severely intolerant, you may develop common symptoms. Upset stomach and nausea is the result of bacteria interacting with the undigested lactose when it enters the colon, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. You may be able to prevent the feeling of sickness when eating yogurt if you take a lactase enzyme supplement or choose soy-based yogurt.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a ongoing complication of the large intestine that causes stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea and constipation. If you have IBS, waste moves too quickly or too slowly through your colon, which can cause emotion distress, abdominal pain and discomfort, but does not damage your digestive system, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Eating certain foods do not cause IBS, but may trigger your symptoms. Dairy products commonly trigger IBS symptoms, along with alcohol, chocolate, certain grains and caffeinate beverages.
Food Poisoning
If your yogurt is contaminated with an infectious organism, such as a harmful bacteria, parasite or virus, you may begin feeling sick within four to 36 hours after eating it. Food poisoning will cause stomach pain, a low-grade fever, chills, nausea, headache and fatigue, according to MedlinePlus. Food poisoning has no cure, aside from rest and increased fluid intake.
