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Introduction
Lactose intolerance, also known as Lactase deficiency
occurs when the body cannot easily digest lactose, the
kind of sugar found in milk and dairy products. When
there is a deficiency of lactase, the lactose remains
in the intestine, and is excreted in bowel movements.
This results in Diarrhea, flatulence (gas), abdominal
bloating, and abdominal discomfort.
Causes
Lactose
intolerance can be caused by some diseases of the
digestive system and by injuries to the small
intestine that result in a decreased production of
lactase. While rare, some children are also born
unable to produce the enzyme. For many, however,
lactase deficiency develops naturally because, after
about two years of age, the body produces less
lactase. The cells that line your small intestine
produce an enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down
lactose into two simple sugars which can be absorbed
into your bloodstream. Without lactase, the
unprocessed lactose moves on to the colon, where the
normal intestinal bacteria contend with it.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can be mild or
severe, depending on how much lactase your body makes.
Symptoms usually begin 30 minutes to two hours after
eating or drinking foods that contain lactose., your
symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea, which is the most common symptom
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Pain or cramps in the lower belly
- Gurgling or rumbling sounds in the lower belly
- Gas
- Throwing up
Many people think they are lactose-intolerant because
the symptoms of lactose intolerance are very common
symptoms. If you feel sick after drinking a glass of
milk one time, you probably do not have lactose
intolerance. But if you feel sick every time you have
milk, ice cream, or another dairy product, you may
have lactose intolerance.
Treatment
Pediatricians might recommend that parents of
newborns and very young children who are suspected of
having lactose intolerance simply change from cow's
milk to a soya formula. Since there is no treatment
that can improve the body's ability to produce
lactase, lactose deficiency treatments instead, are
focused on controlling the diet.
Limit the amount of milk and milk products in your
diet. Most people can drink one glass of milk each
day. This can be a glass of whole, low-fat, or skim
milk because all milk contains the same amount of
lactose. Other milk products contain different amounts
of lactose:
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