Lactose intolerance is a condition that nearly 30 million Americans live with daily. Lactose intolerance makes it difficult to enjoy dairy products such as milk, cheese and ice cream without experiencing mild to severe digestive disturbances. Some ethnicities are more likely to experience lactose intolerance than others.
Definition
Lactose intolerance occurs when your body doesn't make enough of the enzyme lactase to properly digest lactose. Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and dairy products. Babies are normally born with the ability to create enough lactase to digest breast milk or formula. As we age, the body may begin to decrease the amount of lactase created. Lactose intolerance may begin to occur as early as five years of age in Caucasian children, and two years of age in African American children.
Causes
Lactose intolerance can occur normally with age. Babies have to make lactase because their sole source of nutrition is milk. As we get older and less reliant on milk, lactase production can decrease. Lactose intolerance can also occur due to surgery or with an illness affecting the intestines. A third -- but less common -- cause is a genetic condition where lactose intolerance begins at birth.
Risk Factors
Some people have a higher risk of developing lactose intolerance than others. Premature babies are at a greater risk due to the severe immaturity of the digestive system. African Americans, American Indians, and people of Hispanic and Asian descendants are more likely to develop the condition.
Symptoms
If you have lactose intolerance, you will experience symptoms related to digestive upset in as little as 30 minutes or up to 2 hours after consuming dairy. Diarrhea, abdominal cramping, gas and bloating are all symptoms of lactose intolerance. Individuals who make very little lactase will have more severe symptoms than those who make some lactase and can break down the lactose more easily.
Management
Managing lactose intolerance involves learning the foods that are not tolerated and the ones that are. Certain foods such as hard cheese and yogurt may be more easily digested than a glass of milk or bowl of ice cream since they contain lower levels of lactose. Replacing regular cow's milk with almond or soy milk or using lactose-free milks can allow you to enjoy milk without the upsetting symptoms of lactose intolerance. You can also add lactase to your diet by taking over-the-counter supplements containing the lactase enzyme. Contact your doctor if you have any questions about dosage or instructions for taking lactase supplements.
