Someone who is lactose intolerant

Many foods, drinks, and digestive aids are available to help manage lactose intolerance. Normally, when we eat something containing lactose, an enzyme in the small intestine called lactase breaks it down into simpler sugar forms called glucose and galactose. These simple sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream and turned into energy. In lactose intolerance, the body doesn't make enough lactase to break down lactose.

Instead, undigested lactose sits in the gut and gets broken down by bacteria, causing gas, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Lactose intolerance is fairly common. Kids and teens are less likely to have it, but many people eventually become lactose intolerant in adulthood. Some health care providers view lactose intolerance as a normal human condition and not a disease or serious health problem. Lactose intolerance can cause a variety of symptoms.

It all depends on how much dairy or milk-containing foods people consume and how little lactase their body makes.

If you might have lactose intolerance, the docto will ask your symptoms and diet. They might test the breath for hydrogen levels before and after you drink lactose. Normally very little hydrogen gas is detectable in the breath. But undigested lactose in the colon breaks down and makes various gases, including hydrogen.

If you have a hydrogen breath test, you'll blow into a tube for a beginning sample. Then you'll swallow a drink with lactose in it, wait a while, and breathe into the tube again. You'll blow into the tube every half hour for 2 hours to measure hydrogen levels. Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products.

The lactase enzyme is needed to break lactose down into glucose and galactose, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream and used for energy. Without sufficient lactase, lactose moves through your gut undigested and causes digestive symptoms 2 , 3 , 4. Lactose is also found in breast milk, and almost everyone is born with the ability to digest it. It is very rare to see lactose intolerance in children under the age of five.

The risk varies greatly between countries, as shown on this map:. Photo Source. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy. It is caused by reduced production of the enzyme lactase in your gut. Primary lactose intolerance is the most common. It is caused by a decrease in lactase production with age, so that lactose becomes poorly absorbed 5.

Secondary lactose intolerance is rare. It is caused by illness, such as a stomach bug or a more serious issue like celiac disease. This is because inflammation in the gut wall can lead to a temporary decline in lactase production 6. Primary lactose intolerance is common and involves reduced lactase production with age. Secondary lactose intolerance is caused by inflammation in the gut, secondary to an infection or disease. The most common symptoms are 3 , 7 , 8 :.

Some people also experience urgency to go to the toilet, nausea, vomiting, pain in the lower belly and occasionally constipation.

Diarrhea occurs due to undigested lactose in your small intestine, which causes water to move into your digestive tract. Once it reaches your colon, the lactose is fermented by the bacteria in your gut, forming short-chain fatty acids and gas. This causes the bloating, flatulence and pain. The severity of symptoms can vary, depending on how much lactose you can tolerate and how much you have eaten 9. Lactose intolerance can cause digestive problems.

The main symptoms are bloating, gas, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Dairy is the term used to describe milk or products made from milk. Dairy products are highly nutritious and important sources of protein , calcium and vitamins like A, B12 and D This nutrient combination is great for your bones Including dairy in your diet is linked to higher bone mineral density, which may help reduce the risk of bone fractures as you get older 12 , 13 , Dairy products have also been linked with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity 15 , 16 , 17 , Most people are born with enough lactase.

The amount of lactase a person makes may decrease over time. This is because as people age, they eat a more diverse diet and rely less on milk. The decline in lactase is gradual. This type of lactose intolerance is more common in people with Asian, African, and Hispanic ancestry. Intestinal diseases such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease IBD , a surgery, or an injury to your small intestine can also cause lactose intolerance.

Lactase levels may be restored if the underlying disorder is treated. In very rare cases, lactose intolerance is inherited. A defective gene can be transmitted from the parents to a child, resulting in the complete absence of lactase in the child.

This is referred to as congenital lactose intolerance. In this case, your baby will be intolerant of breast milk. They will have diarrhea as soon as human milk or a formula containing lactose is introduced. The diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte loss. The condition can be treated easily by giving the baby a lactose-free infant formula instead of milk.

Occasionally, a type of lactose intolerance called developmental lactose intolerance occurs when a baby is born prematurely. This is because lactase production in the baby begins later in the pregnancy, after at least 34 weeks. The symptoms of lactose intolerance typically occur between 30 minutes and two hours after eating or drinking a milk or dairy product. Symptoms may include:. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.

The severity depends on how much lactose was consumed and how much lactase the person has actually made. Confirmatory tests measure lactase activity in the body. These tests include:. A hydrogen breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath after consuming a drink high in lactose. Many cases first develop in people aged 20 to 40, although babies and young children can also be affected.

Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk or dairy allergy. Food allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a certain type of food. This causes symptoms such as a rash, wheezing and itching. If you're allergic to something, even a tiny particle can be enough to trigger a reaction, while most people with lactose intolerance can still consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing any problems, although this varies from person to person. There's no cure for lactose intolerance, but cutting down on food and drink containing lactose usually helps to control the symptoms.

Your GP may also recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements. You may be advised to take lactase substitutes, which are drops or tablets you can take with your meals or drinks to improve your digestion of lactose. Milk and other dairy products contain calcium, protein and vitamins, such as A, B12 and D. Lactose also helps your body absorb a number of other minerals, such as magnesium and zinc.