Definition:
Lactose intolerance, also called lactase deficiency, means the person isn't able to fully digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy products. It's not usually dangerous, but symptoms of lactose intolerance can be uncomfortable enough to steer the person clear of the dairy aisles.
Diagnosis:
To assess lactose intolerance, the intestinal function is challenged by ingesting more dairy than can be easily digested. Clinical symptoms generally appear within 30 minutes but may take up to 1-2 hours depending on other foods and activities. Substantial variability of the clinical response (symptoms of nausea, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence) are to be expected as the extent and severity of lactose intolerance differs between individuals.
Treatment:
Although there are still no methodologies to reinstate lactase production, some individuals have shared their intolerance to vary over time (depending on health status and pregnancy). Lactose intolerance is not generally an all-or-nothing condition: the reduction in lactase production, and hence, the amount of lactose that can be tolerated varies from person to person.
Symptoms and Signs:
The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance typically begin 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, gas, and bloating.
Causes:
Without lactase, the unprocessed lactose moves on to the colon, where the normal intestinal bacteria deal with it. This leads to the hallmarks of lactose intolerance — gas, bloating and diarrhea.
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