What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance happens when your body is unable to digest or break down lactose. Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and milk products.
Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine does not produce enough lactase, a digesting enzyme. It helps your body digest and absorb lactose from food. People who are lactose intolerant feel uncomfortable after drinking milk or milk products. Bloating, diarrhea, and gas are among the symptoms.
A milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance. Asian Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans are the most likely to be lactose intolerant.
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Causes
Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine does not produce enough of an enzyme (lactase) to break down lactose (milk sugar). Normally, lactase breaks down milk sugar into glucose and galactose, two simple sugars that are then absorbed into the bloodstream by the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Lactose in your meal flows into the colon instead of being digested and absorbed if you are lactase deficient. Normal bacteria in the gut interact with undigested lactose, generating lactose intolerance symptoms.
Symptoms
Following are the common signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance:
Stomach pain and bloating
- Diarrhea
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- constipation
- headaches
- fatigue
- loss of concentration
- muscle and joint pain
- mouth ulcers
- problems urinating
- Eczema
Risk factors
Lactose intolerance can be caused by several factors, including:
Increasing age
- Ethnicity
- Premature birth
- Diseases that affect small intestines
- Certain cancer treatments
Diagnosis
Your healthcare professional will ask you about your medical history and family history. They will examine you physically.
Some tests can assist your doctor in determining lactose intolerance. These could include:
- Lactose tolerance test: This test determines how lactose is absorbed by your digestive tract. You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything for around 8 hours before the test.
- Hydrogen breath test: You will consume a liquid that is high in lactose. Your breath will be tested multiple times. If you have a lot of hydrogen in your breath, it could suggest you’re lactose intolerant.
- Stool acidity test: This test is for newborns and small children. It determines the amount of acid in the feces. A person who is unable to digest lactose will have lactic acid, glucose, and other fatty acids in their stool.
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Treatment
Although there is no cure for lactose intolerance, there are many methods for managing and treating its symptoms:
- Lactase enzyme supplements are available over the counter in the form of pills, capsules, or drops. To help digestion, take these vitamins before consuming lactose-containing foods. They supplement the lactase enzyme and can help decrease or eliminate symptoms.
- Probiotics are helpful microorganisms that can aid in the improvement of gut health. According to some research, certain probiotic strains may aid in lactose digestion and alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance.
- Lactose-containing meals and beverages should be reduced or avoided to help manage symptoms. Lactose is commonly found in milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and butter. Several lactose-free or lactose-reduced products on the market can be good alternatives.
- Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk are a few of the non-dairy milk substitutes that are available. These substitutes can both be used in recipes and eaten on their own.
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are available without lactose from numerous food manufacturers. Lactase is added to these goods before ingestion to break down the lactose.
Prevention
- Breastfeeding newborns may lessen the risk of developing lactose intolerance later in life.
- The Consumption of Fermented Dairy Products
- Keeping Your Gut Healthy
- Avoiding Excessive Lactose Consumption
- Lactase supplements cannot prevent lactose intolerance, but they can be taken before eating lactose-containing meals to help digestion and alleviate symptoms.
