Hi Paul,

You have highlighted the category: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, do you have IBD? If so, this is something to talk to your gastroenterologist about. For those of us with IBD, it is important to keep a good line of communication open with your doctor so they are aware of new or worsening symptoms. Information like this can help them to get you on the best treatment plan for you as possible.

If you do not have IBD, then I'd say it is very likely that you are intolerant to lactose. The best way to check for this is to stop eating or drinking anything that contains lactose. If you do this and your symptoms go away, then voila! you have solved your problem. Even so, though, be sure you let your general doctor know of this new thing in your life. It will help them to make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet to fend off things like osteoporosis.

You might have to play around with foods a bit. I know many lactose-intolerant people who can't drink milk or eat soft cheeses, but can tolerate hard, aged cheeses and yogurt because of the aging and fermentation process altering the lactose in the milk used. Also, goat's, soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are not only good alternatives but they are easily available in grocery stores now.

Hope this helps you.

Elizabeth