


Not enough lactase means lactose molecules end up in your colon, where bacteria eat them up, producing gas and diarrhea, says Patricia Raymond, MD, FACG, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of clinical internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. The reason it can be difficult for us to digest dairy is that, as we grow older, we start producing less of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for breaking lactose-the complex sugar found in milk. Some people do not make any lactase at all, but this is very rare.Fun fact of the day: While 65% of the population is officially diagnosed with lactose intolerance, some experts believe that we're all at least a little bit lactose intolerant-we just brush off the bloating and gas as no big deal. Some premature babies are unable to digest lactose because their bowel has not developed enough, but this usually gets better as your baby gets older. conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and Coeliac disease.

Lactose intolerance can start at any age and can also be caused by: The most common cause of lactose intolerance is when the body does not make enough of an enzyme called lactase, which helps you digest lactose. Treating the underlying cause should help. In some people, lactose intolerance is caused by another health condition, such as coeliac disease. Taking a lactase supplement before having food or drink containing lactose may reduce or prevent symptoms for some people. If you think your child is lactose intolerant, see your GP before removing dairy products from their diet. Treatment for lactose intoleranceįor most people with lactose intolerance, the symptoms can be prevented by reducing the amount of food you eat that contains lactose, or by avoiding these foods completely. A very small sample of cells may be taken from your small intestine so it can be tested.īefore the test, you may be given painkillers to help with any discomfort, and a sedative to help you relax. This is where a long, thin, flexible tube is passed into your mouth and down into your stomach. If your symptoms are severe and do not get better, you may need a gastroscopy. do a hydrogen breath test – where hydrogen gas in your breath is measured to find out how well you digest lactose.be asked to follow a lactose elimination diet – where you stop eating foods containing lactose to see if your symptoms improve.If your GP thinks you have lactose intolerance, you may: You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling.you get tightness in your chest or throat.
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