What is lactose intolerance?
8:7:53 2023-04-03 595

Lactose intolerance is when your body can't break down or digest lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance happens when your small intestine does not make enough of a digestive enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down the lactose in food so your body can absorb it. People who are lactose intolerant have unpleasant symptoms after eating or drinking milk or milk products. Lactose intolerance is not the same thing as having a food allergy to milk.

What causes lactose intolerance?

Both children and adults can get lactose intolerance. Here are some common causes of this condition:

  • Lactose intolerance often runs in families (hereditary). In these cases, over time a person’s body may make less of the lactase enzyme. Symptoms may occur during the teen or adult years.
  • In some cases, the small intestine stops making lactase after an injury or after a disease or infection.
  • Some babies born too early (premature babies) may not be able to make enough lactase. This is often a short-term problem that goes away.
  • In very rare cases, some newborns can’t make any lactase from birth.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms often start about 30 minutes to 2 hours after you have food or drinks that have lactose.

Symptoms may include:

  • Belly (abdominal) cramps and pain
  • Nausea
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea

Here are some tips for managing lactose in your diet:

  • Start slowly. Try adding small amounts of milk or milk products and see how your body reacts.
  • Have milk and milk products with other foods. You may find you have fewer symptoms if you take milk or milk products with your meals. Try eating cheese with crackers or having milk with cereal. 
  • Eat dairy products with naturally lower levels of lactose. These include hard cheeses and yogurt.
  • Look for lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk and milk products. These can be found at many food stores. They are the same as regular milk and milk products. But they have the lactase enzyme added to them.
  • Ask about lactase products. Ask your healthcare provider if you should take a lactase pill or lactase drops when you eat or drink milk products.

If you have trouble finding dairy products that don’t cause symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They can suggest other foods to be sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D. You may need to take calcium or vitamin D supplements.

Children with lactose intolerance should be seen by a healthcare provider. Children and teenagers need dairy foods. They are a major source of calcium for bone growth and health. They also have other nutrients that children need for growth.

 

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