Lactose intolerance can be a frustrating digestive condition. Though not serious, there is no way to treat it. If you're lactose intolerant, you experience gas, cramping and diarrhea upon consuming milk or many other dairy products. There are a few ways you can manage these symptoms and still eat a normal diet.
Definition of Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance occurs when you don't produce sufficient lactase, which is the enzyme your small intestine uses to digest milk sugar. When you consume milk, the lactose from the milk passes through your small intestine into the lower gut. There, intestinal bacteria break it down, producing large quantities of gas in the process, note Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry." This produces the bloating and cramping characteristic of lactose intolerance.
Causes
There are several causes of lactose intolerance; unfortunately, most are completely unavoidable. MayoClinic.com notes that while a few individuals may have genetic lactose intolerance -- meaning they're never able to digest lactose at any point in life -- most who become lactose intolerant develop the disorder over time as a natural result of aging. You can also become lactose intolerant if you get an intestinal inflammation or infection; these can damage your intestine's ability to produce lactase either temporarily or permanently.
Solutions
There are no medications you can take to treat lactose intolerance. If you've become temporarily lactose intolerant as the result of illness, however, treating the illness may resolve the condition. For most though, managing lactose intolerance is a matter of taking supplements of lactase enzyme when you consume dairy. Lactase supplements, available under a variety of brand names, provide you with a temporary supply of the lactase enzyme, allowing you to digest the lactose in your food.
Food Alternatives
Another important part of managing lactose intolerance involves selecting foods that won't aggravate your intestine. You can freely enjoy any non-dairy foods, including non-dairy milk alternatives such as soy milk. You can also likely consume yogurt without trouble, since the bacteria in yogurt break down the lactose. Finally, there are many lactose-free milks and milk products available on the market. These have been pre-treated with lactase, and won't upset your digestive tract.
References
- "Biochemistry"; Reginald Garrett, Ph.D. and Charles Grisham, Ph.D.; 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Lactose Intolerance
