Probiotics are commonly used to help regulate and treat digestive conditions, but if you have certain conditions, a probiotics drink may further aggravate your symptoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that probiotics supplements may help treat certain conditions causing gastritis, such as an infection of H. pylori. Before using a probiotic drink to treat any medical condition, call your doctor because probiotics are not regulated by the FDA.
Gastritis
Gastritis is a medical term used to describe a collection of symptoms that are caused by inflammation in the lining of the stomach, which may be the result of various conditions. Common conditions that cause gastritis include the stomach flu, food poisoning and peptic ulcers. Common symptoms of gastritis include heartburn, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, hiccups, dark stools and vomiting a substance that looks like coffee grounds, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. During bouts of diarrhea, helpful bacteria, called probiotics, in your digestive system can become depleted, which may make the use of probiotic supplements beneficial.
Lactose Intolerance
MayoClinic.com warns that many probiotic beverages are made with milk, which contains a complex sugar called lactose. Lactose intolerance occurs when your digestive system cannot digest the sugar in dairy products. If you’re lactose intolerant you should talk with your doctor before using a probiotic beverage. Drinking milk with lactose intolerance can cause further digestive complications, resulting in bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, according to National Institutes of Health online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus. Taking a lactase enzyme supplement before your first sip of a probiotic beverage may prevent symptoms from developing.
Milk Allergy
If you have a milk allergy, you need to avoid probiotic beverages. Consuming milk proteins with a milk allergy can cause minor to severe allergic reactions. Digestive symptoms from consuming milk include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramping and abdominal pain, according to the Nemours Foundation's Kids Health website. Other symptoms associated with a milk allergy include hives, skin rashes, facial swelling, shock, an increased heart rate and asthma. If you accidentally ingest milk, call your doctor immediately to prevent any further complications. Only ingest probiotics supplements that are certified milk-free.
Consideration
If you don’t have any underlying gastrointestinal conditions, probiotic beverages may help alleviate your symptoms related to gastritis. The helpful bacteria can help keep harmful bacteria to a limit in your digestive system and can promote regularity and digestive health. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends 5 billion to 10 billion colony-forming units daily if you have gastritis.
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