What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products.
People with lactose intolerance don’t make enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest lactose.
Lactose intolerance is very common. In fact, it’s thought to affect around 75% of the world’s population.
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People with lactose intolerance experience digestive problems when they eat dairy, which can have a negative effect on the quality of life.
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Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose.
Common signs and symptoms include:
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Diarrhea
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Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting
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Stomach cramps
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Bloating
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Gas
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It is vital to make an appointment with your doctor if you frequently have symptoms of lactose intolerance after eating dairy foods.
Causes of Lactose Intolerance
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Adulthood (not as common in children)
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Ethnicity (common in people of African, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian descent)
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Premature birth
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Diseases affecting the small intestine
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Certain cancer treatments (radiation therapy)
Diagnosis of Lactose Intolerance
Your doctor might suspect lactose intolerance based on your symptoms and your response to reducing the number of dairy foods in your diet.
Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis by conducting one or more of the following tests:
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Hydrogen breath test
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Lactose tolerance test
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