Lactose intolerance affects 30 to 50 million people in the United States. In some populations the prevalence of this disorder is even higher, with 90 to 100 percent of Asian-Americans and 80 percent of African-Americans suffering from this disorder, according to The Ohio State University Medical Center. Because of the high incidence of this condition, everyone should learn the cause of the disorder as well as what triggers the symptoms in order to avoid the onset of discomfort caused by lactose intolerance.
Mechanism of Onset
Lactose intolerance describes a digestive disorder that occurs when your body fails to digest the sugar, known as lactose, that is found in milk and other dairy products. Lactose, classified as a disaccarhide sugar molecule, consists of the two simple sugars glucose and galactose bound together. Your body absorbs sugar molecules through the lining of the small intestine and uses them for energy. To utilize the energy in lactose, it must first break lactose into smaller particles by breaking apart the two simple sugars. An enzyme known as lactase performs this function. Inadequate amounts of lactase triggers the onset of lactose intolerance.
Primary Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is the first, and for quite some time the only, source of energy for infants. Following birth and until about the age of 2, your body produces large amounts of lactase to digest the large volume of lactose. As you get older, the production of lactase decreases, leading to a deficiency and the onset of primary lactose intolerance. This type of lactose intolerance has a genetic factor, which explains why certain ethnic groups exhibit a higher incidence rate.
Secondary Lactose Intolerance
The onset of lactose intolerance may occur as a result of another digestive disease -- a condition known as secondary lactose intolerance. Digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases cause chronic inflammation in the lining of the intestines. This can damage the cells responsible for producing lactase, leading to a lactase deficiency. Celiac disease occurs when gluten damages the lining of the intestines, which inhibits the absorption of nutrients. It can also decrease the production of lactase, triggering the onset of secondary lactose intolerance.
Symptoms
Lactose is found in any product containing the milk of mammals. Consuming a dairy product triggers the onset of symptoms within 30 minutes to 2 hours, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The symptoms of gas, bloating and abdominal pain occur as the intact lactose molecule travels into the large intestine and bacteria begins to break it down. Lactose intolerance also causes diarrhea because the lactose binds to excess water, keeping it in the stool.
Avoid Onset
To avoid the onset of lactose intolerance symptoms, doctors used to suggest avoiding all dairy products. Because dairy products serve as the best source of calcium, as well as providing other nutrients, doctors now suggest eating or drinking small servings of dairy products. As many as 80 to 90 percent of individuals diagnosed with lactose intolerance can still tolerate up to 250 ml of milk, according to Lactose.com. Consuming the lactose-containing product along with a meal also helps to reduce the onset of symptoms.
