Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue where the body struggles to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to insufficient lactase enzyme. Symptoms often include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
What is Lactose Intolerance?
- Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose into simpler sugars (glucose and galactose) for absorption into the bloodstream.
- When lactose isn't digested properly, it passes into the colon, where bacteria ferment it, leading to the characteristic symptoms.
- Lactose intolerance is different from a milk allergy, which is an immune system reaction to milk proteins.
Symptoms:
- Common symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.
- Symptoms typically appear within a few hours of consuming dairy products.
Causes:
- Primary Lactose Intolerance: The most common type, where lactase production naturally declines with age, often starting in childhood or adulthood.
- Secondary Lactose Intolerance: Occurs due to other conditions that damage the small intestine, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, or after infections that affect the gut.
- Congenital Lactase Deficiency: A rare, genetic condition where infants lack the ability to produce lactase.
Who is at Risk?
- People of Asian, African, Hispanic, and Native American descent are more likely to develop lactose intolerance.
- Lactose intolerance can develop at any age, but it's more common in adulthood.
- Premature babies may also be at higher risk.
Diagnosis:
- A doctor can diagnose lactose intolerance through a lactose tolerance test, where you drink a lactose-rich beverage and their blood glucose levels are monitored.
- A hydrogen breath test can also be used to measure the amount of hydrogen gas in your breath, which increases when lactose is undigested.
Management and Treatment:
- Dietary Changes: The most common approach is to reduce or eliminate dairy products from your diet.
- Lactose-Free Alternatives: Many lactose-free dairy substitutes are available, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
- Lactase Supplements: Over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements can help break down lactose in food before it's consumed.
- Gradual Introduction: Some people can tolerate small amounts of dairy without symptoms, so experimenting with different dairy products in small portions can be helpful.