Understanding Lactose Intolerance: Symptoms, Testing, Treatment, Causes

Lactose intolerance poses a common yet often misunderstood challenge for many. This condition arises due to your body's inability to digest dairy products. Let's understand why lactose intolerance happens, what are the options available for its treatment and prevention, and how can you effectively manage lactose intolerance.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder in which your body lacks an enzyme essential for breaking down lactose, a sugar present in milk and other dairy products.

What is lactose malabsorption?

Lactose malabsorption refers to the insufficient absorption of lactose in your body. In this condition, undigested lactose reaches your colon, causing stomach discomfort.

What’s the difference between lactose malabsorption vs. lactose intolerance?

Lactose malabsorption is the incomplete absorption of lactose in your small intestine. Importantly, lactose malabsorption doesn't always lead to noticeable symptoms, as some people can tolerate certain amounts of lactose without discomfort. On the other hand, lactose intolerance specifically refers to the presence of symptoms associated with lactose malabsorption.

Therefore, lactose malabsorption is a common factor in lactose intolerance, yet not all those experiencing malabsorption necessarily develop lactose intolerance. To distinguish, lactose malabsorption occurs in your small intestine, while lactose intolerance symptoms are seen in your large intestine.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance manifests with gastrointestinal symptoms typically occurring 30 minutes to two hours after you consume lactose-containing foods. Common lactose intolerance symptoms include gurgling of your stomach due to gas, abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, and, in some cases, vomiting.

What foods trigger lactose intolerance symptoms?

Foods that trigger lactose intolerance symptoms contain varying amounts of lactose. Common items that causes lactose intolerance include:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, yoghourt, and ice cream.
• Processed foods like cakes, cookies, pastries, soups, and chocolates.
• Uncommon sources like protein bars, medicines, and even some breakfast cereals.

What causes lactose intolerance?

The primary causes of lactose intolerance are lactose malabsorption and increased sensitivity of your gut. The undigested lactose moves to your colon, where it interacts with gut bacteria, leading to the release of gases.

Lactase deficiency

When there's insufficient production of the enzyme lactase in your body, it leads to lactose intolerance. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into glucose and galactose in your body.

You and your gut

Your body's response to any food item depends on your gut sensitivity. It refers to the tendency of your gastrointestinal system to respond or react to various stimuli. You may experience digestive discomfort or reactions to certain foods even when there is no underlying pathology.

What are the four types of lactose intolerance?

The four types of lactose intolerance are

• Primary lactose intolerance,
• Secondary lactose intolerance,
• Congenital lactose intolerance, and
• Developmental lactose intolerance.

Is lactose intolerance genetic?

Yes, lactose intolerance can be genetic. Primary lactose intolerance often results from a genetically determined decline in lactase production after childhood. If you have a family history of lactose intolerance, your tendency to develop lactose intolerance will be higher.

Can you develop lactose intolerance over time?

Yes, you can develop lactose intolerance over time. Secondary lactose intolerance can arise due to factors such as ageing or gastrointestinal disorders affecting your small intestine, leading to inadequate lactase production.

Can you suddenly become lactose intolerant if you weren’t before?

Yes, you can develop lactose intolerance suddenly, even if you were not previously affected. This can happen due to an injury to the lining of your gut caused by surgical procedures or inflammatory disorders like Inflammatory bowel disease.

How do you know if you’re lactose intolerant?

If you experience unpleasant symptoms such as gas, bloating etc., following the consumption of milk or dairy products, you may have lactose intolerance. However, you should confirm it by testing for lactose intolerance after consulting a doctor.

How do you test for lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance diagnosis involves the following tests:

• Hydrogen Breath Test: This test involves drinking a lactose-containing beverage, and then measuring the amount of hydrogen in your breath over several hours. High hydrogen levels indicate undigested lactose in the colon.
• Lactose Tolerance Test: This blood test measures blood glucose levels after consuming a lactose solution. If your body cannot break down lactose, blood glucose levels remain relatively unchanged.
• Stool Acidity Test: Often used for infants and young children, this testing for lactose intolerance assesses the acidity of the stool after consuming lactose.

How do you fix lactose intolerance?

You can reduce lactose intolerance symptoms by avoiding or limiting lactose-containing foods, choosing lactose-free alternatives, and using lactase supplements to aid digestion.

How can I manage lactose intolerance with diet?

Lactose intolerance treatment typically involves dietary adjustments like:

• Choose Lactose-Free Alternatives such as lactose-free milk, cheese, and yoghourt.
• Explore plant-based alternatives like almond, soy, or coconut milk.
• Take over-the-counter lactase supplements before consuming dairy to aid digestion.

Can lactose intolerance go away?

While there's no cure or definitive treatment for lactose intolerance, managing it through dietary adjustments or enzyme supplements can effectively control symptoms. Secondary lactose intolerance can be resolved if the underlying disorder is treated.

What happens if you ignore lactose intolerance?

Over time, repeated exposure to lactose without management could contribute to chronic stomach discomfort and nutritional deficiencies. This all happens due to impaired absorption of essential nutrients in your digestive tract

Are there any long-term consequences of lactose intolerance?

While lactose intolerance itself does not typically lead to serious long-term consequences, the chronic symptoms and discomfort associated with untreated or poorly managed lactose intolerance can cause diarrhoea, leading to dehydration and potential nutritional deficiencies like Vit B12, Vit D, and Calcium.

Is lactose intolerance an allergy?

No, lactose intolerance is not an allergy.

What is the difference between lactose intolerance vs. milk allergy?

Lactose intolerance and milk allergy are two distinct conditions with different underlying mechanisms. While lactose intolerance is a consequence of high gut sensitivity, milk allergy involves an immune response to milk proteins, causing severe reactions like difficulty in breathing, swelling, and even anaphylaxis.

What is the difference between lactose intolerance vs. milk protein intolerance?

Lactose intolerance results from insufficient lactase enzyme, leading to difficulty digesting lactose. In contrast, milk protein intolerance, often associated with cow's milk protein, involves an immune response to proteins like casein or whey, leading to allergic reactions.

Conclusion

Understanding lactase deficiency and its role in lactose intolerance helps you make correct dietary choices and manage its symptoms effectively. By adopting lactose-free alternatives and using enzyme supplements you can tackle the challenges associated with lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance. Do you always feel like your stomach is a churning sensation after consuming dairy products? If the answer is yes, then you should undergo a lactose tolerance blood test. To help you with this, Metropolis Healthcare is at your service with reliable, state-of-the-art diagnostic blood test services. We are trusted by many across India.