Lactose Intolerance is a medical condition in which the person is not able to digest the milk sugar i.e. lactose completely and complains of digestive symptoms such as flatulence(gas), diarrhea and bloating. The problem also occurs with the consumption of other dairy and food products which contains lactose such as ice-cream, cheese, buttercream etc.
Lactose malabsorption is the just the condition in which the small intestine is not able to digest the lactose and if it is associated with the symptoms mentioned above then it is known as lactose intolerance. This means that not all people having lactose malabsorption have lactose intolerance.
According to experts about 68% of the world population suffers from lactose malabsorption and in United States it is 36%.
These signs and symptoms usually appear within a few hours after you have taken milk or other products containing lactose as follows
The symptoms may be mild or severe which generally depends upon the amount of lactose-containing products you have taken
Lactose intolerance is always due to lactose malabsorption where the small intestine produces low levels of an enzyme called as lactase which digest the lactose (milk sugar). This undigested lactose passes into your colon where it is broken and metabolised by the bacteria which releases acid and gas as the by-products. In some people these by-products cause the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
On the basis of cause of lactose malabsorption there are different types of lactose intolerance as
Some people are at high risk of developing lactose malabsorption due to the following risk factors
To make the diagnosis your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, family history and can perform certain tests to confirm it.
History: Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, eating habits and relation of symptoms with the intake of dairy products. Your doctor may advise you to stop the consumption of dairy products to look for any improvements
Physical exam: Your doctor can perform a complete physical examination but he or she will try to look for the signs that are specific for the digestive symptoms such as
Laboratory tests: if the history is not helpful to determine the cause alone, laboratory tests should be performed because these symptoms are also present in other diseases of digestive system such as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease.
If there is an underlying cause that is reducing the amount of lactase produced by the intestine then treating it can treat the intolerance other wise no treatment can increase the amount of produced enzyme. Sometimes, you have to see an allergist for management of this condition.
Changing diet: Your doctor will advise you some modification in your daily diet as follows
Limiting the amount of lactose intake by reducing the consumption of dairy products. Some people have to avoid lactose completely.
Increasing the amount of other non-dairy products containing calcium so that you don’t become calcium deficient.
Lactase products: these are available as lactase enzyme-containing tablets or liquid drops. It can be taken before you drink milk or eat dairy products. This enzyme will digest the lactose present in the food and helps in reducing the symptoms.
You might want to read our article, about Non dairy alternatives available for people with milk allergy.