Lactose intolerance is a common genetic deficiency. It affects many, especially those from African, Chinese, or Mediterranean backgrounds. This deficiency means the body lacks enough lactase enzyme, used to break down the sugar in dairy – lactose. Without enough lactase, undigested lactose causes symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Special tests can diagnose lactose intolerance. A breath test checks hydrogen levels after a lactose drink to find malabsorption. A blood test measures how your body digests lactose by looking at blood sugar before and after lactose consumption.
To manage lactose intolerance, most people need to avoid dairy and other lactose-containing foods. Yet they should also make sure their diet is balanced. This includes getting enough calcium and vitamin D, which are often found in dairy.
If someone consumes a little dairy or accidentally eats lactose, they can use lactase pills. These pills help the body digest lactose better, which can lessen symptoms.
There’s also exciting research in stem cell therapy for dealing with lactose intolerance. This new approach shows potential to enhance the lives of those with lactose intolerance.
Key Takeaways:
- Lactose intolerance is a common genetic deficiency that affects individuals of African, Chinese, or Mediterranean descent.
- It is caused by a deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.
- Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
- Diagnosis can be done through specialized breath or blood tests.
- Treatment involves following a lactose-free diet and taking lactase preparations to aid in lactose digestion.
- Emerging treatments like stem cell therapy are being explored as potential options to manage lactose intolerance.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance comes with signs that can really affect life quality. It’s important to know and diagnose them to handle the issue. Signs like lactose intolerance symptoms are:
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Gas
These symptoms might seem like others, for example, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Yet, not figuring out and treating lactose intolerance can cause bad things. This includes not getting enough calcium and vitamin D, or even getting osteoporosis.
Finding out if you’re lactose intolerant means trying different ways based on symptoms or health history. The two main ones are:
Breath Test
A lactose intolerance breath test checks for hydrogen in your breath after having a lactose drink. If there’s more hydrogen, it shows your body isn’t processing the lactose well. This means you might be lactose intolerant.
Blood Test
A lactose intolerance blood test looks at how your body handles lactose by checking your blood sugar. It’s done after having a lactose food or drink. If your blood sugar doesn’t go up like it should, it means you might have lactose intolerance.
These tests explain if you lack the enzyme to digest lactose and show you might be lactose intolerant. If you think you have lactose intolerance, or you’ve been noticing its symptoms, talking to a doctor is wise. They can give you the right diagnosis and guidance on what to do next.
Treatment Options for Lactose Intolerance
The main way to manage lactose intolerance is by eating a lactose-free diet. This means staying away from foods with lactose, like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Luckily, there are plenty of dairy-free options in stores for those with this condition.
It’s key to keep the lactose-free diet balanced. Make sure it still gives you all the good stuff, like calcium and vitamin D, which you’d normally get from dairy. You can get these nutrients from foods like almonds, broccoli, tofu, and non-dairy milk that has been fortified.
Along with changing what you eat, you may also try lactase preparations. These help your body break down a little bit of lactose without causing symptoms like bloating or diarrhea. Always check with a doctor before using these, to be sure of the right amount and how to take them.
Right now, treatment for lactose intolerance mainly focuses on easing symptoms. But, researchers are looking into some emerging treatments that might change things. For example, stem cell therapy aims to repair the intestine’s ability to make lactase. This new method could improve the lives of those affected, but more study is needed to make it widely available.