Is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products and is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase.
Alternative NamesMilk intolerance, lactase deficiency, disaccharidase deficiency, dairy product intolerance\
Causes and Risk FactorsLactose intolerance occurs when the intestine does not produce enough lactase enzyme. Babies' bodies make this enzyme so they can digest milk, including breast milk. Before humans became farmers and processed dairy products, most people do not continue to drink milk in your life, so that did not produce lactase after early childhood.
People from cultures in which the consumption of milk and dairy products in adults occurred earliest are less likely to suffer from lactose intolerance than those belonging to villages where the consumption of dairy farming began more recently. As a result, lactose intolerance is more common in Asian, African American, Native American, and Mediterranean populations of northern and western Europe.
Lactose intolerance can begin at different times in life. In Caucasians, it usually starts to affect children older than 5 years, while the black people, the condition often occurs up to two years old.
When people with lactose intolerance eat or drink dairy products, may have symptoms such as bloating, excessive intestinal gas, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Lactose intolerance is not dangerous and is very common in adults. Approximately 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20 years.
Lactose intolerance is sometimes seen in premature babies and babies born at full term generally do not show signs of this condition until they are at least 3 years of age.
The fact of not having milk in the diet can cause a shortage of calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin and protein, so you need a milk substitute. Soy preparations are adequate substitutes for bottle babies under 2 years and for children toddlers, soy milk and rice are good alternatives. Older children may also consume cow's milk treated with lactase. Goat's milk is low in lactose, but should only be used with children if properly fortified with vitamins and essential amino acids.
Most people with low lactase can tolerate 2 to 4 ounces of milk at one time (up to half a cup), but larger portions (8 ounces) can cause problems for those with some degree of intolerance to milk.
Lactase deficiency may also occur as a result of intestinal diseases such as celiac sprue and gastroenteritis, or also manifest after intestinal surgery. This may be a temporary lactase deficiency due to bacterial or viral infections, especially in children, when injured cells lining the intestine.
Symptoms
Symptoms often occur after the ingestion of dairy products and often relieved by the suspension of the same. Large doses of milk products may cause worse symptoms.
Signs and tests
Treatment
Symptoms usually are relieved with the suspension of dairy products in the diet, in which case it should be incorporated into food sources of calcium.
Usually can tolerate fermented milk products like yogurt. Sometimes, patients tolerate goat's milk, but it is recommended taken with meals, not alone. Also, consider that the butter milk and cheeses have less lactose than milk itself.
It may help to consumption of milk and lactose-free dairy products. Also, you can add lactase enzymes to regular milk or take them in capsule or chewable tablet form.
You should read food labels, because the lactose found in some non-milk products, including some beers.
Expectations (prognosis)Usually, symptoms disappear once you stop consuming dairy products in the diet.
ComplicationsPossible complications include weight loss and malnutrition.
Calling your health careSeek medical attention if a child or adult has symptoms of lactose intolerance in order to seek food substitutes. Even when symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment or if new symptoms.
PreventionThere is no known way to prevent the development of lactose intolerance. However, if you have this condition, you can avoid or limit consumption of dairy products to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
source: clinicadam.com
READ MORE - Lactose intolerance
Alternative NamesMilk intolerance, lactase deficiency, disaccharidase deficiency, dairy product intolerance\
Causes and Risk FactorsLactose intolerance occurs when the intestine does not produce enough lactase enzyme. Babies' bodies make this enzyme so they can digest milk, including breast milk. Before humans became farmers and processed dairy products, most people do not continue to drink milk in your life, so that did not produce lactase after early childhood.
People from cultures in which the consumption of milk and dairy products in adults occurred earliest are less likely to suffer from lactose intolerance than those belonging to villages where the consumption of dairy farming began more recently. As a result, lactose intolerance is more common in Asian, African American, Native American, and Mediterranean populations of northern and western Europe.
Lactose intolerance can begin at different times in life. In Caucasians, it usually starts to affect children older than 5 years, while the black people, the condition often occurs up to two years old.
When people with lactose intolerance eat or drink dairy products, may have symptoms such as bloating, excessive intestinal gas, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Lactose intolerance is not dangerous and is very common in adults. Approximately 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20 years.
Lactose intolerance is sometimes seen in premature babies and babies born at full term generally do not show signs of this condition until they are at least 3 years of age.
The fact of not having milk in the diet can cause a shortage of calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin and protein, so you need a milk substitute. Soy preparations are adequate substitutes for bottle babies under 2 years and for children toddlers, soy milk and rice are good alternatives. Older children may also consume cow's milk treated with lactase. Goat's milk is low in lactose, but should only be used with children if properly fortified with vitamins and essential amino acids.
Most people with low lactase can tolerate 2 to 4 ounces of milk at one time (up to half a cup), but larger portions (8 ounces) can cause problems for those with some degree of intolerance to milk.
Lactase deficiency may also occur as a result of intestinal diseases such as celiac sprue and gastroenteritis, or also manifest after intestinal surgery. This may be a temporary lactase deficiency due to bacterial or viral infections, especially in children, when injured cells lining the intestine.
Symptoms
- Abdominal cramps
- Distension
- Flatulence
- Weight Loss
- Malnutrition
- Slow growth
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Floating stools
- Foul-smelling stools
Symptoms often occur after the ingestion of dairy products and often relieved by the suspension of the same. Large doses of milk products may cause worse symptoms.
Signs and tests
- Test for stool-reducing substances
- Proof of lactose tolerance
- Breath test for lactose-hydrogen
- Small bowel biopsy
Treatment
Symptoms usually are relieved with the suspension of dairy products in the diet, in which case it should be incorporated into food sources of calcium.
Usually can tolerate fermented milk products like yogurt. Sometimes, patients tolerate goat's milk, but it is recommended taken with meals, not alone. Also, consider that the butter milk and cheeses have less lactose than milk itself.
It may help to consumption of milk and lactose-free dairy products. Also, you can add lactase enzymes to regular milk or take them in capsule or chewable tablet form.
You should read food labels, because the lactose found in some non-milk products, including some beers.
Expectations (prognosis)Usually, symptoms disappear once you stop consuming dairy products in the diet.
ComplicationsPossible complications include weight loss and malnutrition.
Calling your health careSeek medical attention if a child or adult has symptoms of lactose intolerance in order to seek food substitutes. Even when symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment or if new symptoms.
PreventionThere is no known way to prevent the development of lactose intolerance. However, if you have this condition, you can avoid or limit consumption of dairy products to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
source: clinicadam.com
