Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance is an intestinal condition caused by insufficient synthesis of the intestinal enzyme lactase needed to break down lactose (Keith, Nichols, Reed, Kafer, Miller 2011). So what does this exactly mean? People with lactose intolerance have trouble digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and milk products. Undigested lactose can upset the stomach and cause diarrhea. Most people who are lactose intolerant are able to consume some lactose without symptoms. However, many people who are (or think they are) lactose intolerant avoid dairy products and do not consume enough calcium and vitamin D, which are nutrients critical to bone growth and development. A person born with lactose intolerance cannot eat or drink anything with lactose. Approximately 75% of the world’s population loses the ability to digest lactose at some point, while others can digest lactose into adulthood. In very rare cases, lactose intolerance can happen in newborns (Pakdaman, Udani, Molina, Shahini 2016). The intolerance
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Symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on how much lactase one’s body can make. Symptoms usually begin thirty minutes to two hours after you eat or drink milk products (Pakdaman 2016). Symptoms may include: bloating, pain or cramps, rumbling sounds in your belly, gas, loose stools or diarrhea, and throwing up. If you have any of these symptoms after eating lactose infused foods, consult your doctor. Your doctor can make sure that your symptoms are not caused by any other problem. He or she may ask you to avoid dairy products for a short time to see if your symptoms improve. Doctors sometimes order a hydrogen breath test or a blood sugar test to confirm the diagnosis that was made (Saviano, Ritter, Klaenhammer, James, Longcore, Chandler, Walker, Foyt 2013). These are just a few of the tests that can prove if you are digesting lactose
Symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on how much lactase one’s body can make. Symptoms usually begin thirty minutes to two hours after you eat or drink milk products (Pakdaman 2016). Symptoms may include: bloating, pain or cramps, rumbling sounds in your belly, gas, loose stools or diarrhea, and throwing up. If you have any of these symptoms after eating lactose infused foods, consult your doctor. Your doctor can make sure that your symptoms are not caused by any other problem. He or she may ask you to avoid dairy products for a short time to see if your symptoms improve. Doctors sometimes order a hydrogen breath test or a blood sugar test to confirm the diagnosis that was made (Saviano, Ritter, Klaenhammer, James, Longcore, Chandler, Walker, Foyt 2013). These are just a few of the tests that can prove if you are digesting lactose