If you end up in the bathroom 30 minutes after drinking a glass of milk, you may be lactose intolerant. Thirty to 50 million American adults suffer from lactose intolerance, according to 2004 statistics provided by the National Institute of Child Health and Development. Lactose is the carbohydrate found in dairy foods like milk. Discuss the signs with your doctor to determine a diagnosis.
Causes
Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for helping you digest lactose. Primary lactose deficiency is the most common form of lactose intolerance and occurs in people who previously could tolerate foods containing lactose, but suddenly experience discomfort. Secondary lactose deficiency results from an injury to the gastrointestinal tract such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease. Congenital lactose intolerance is a relatively rare genetic disorder in which your body does not make the lactase enzyme.
Risk Factors
When considering whether you suffer from lactose intolerance, it is important understand the risk factors. As you age, your ability to make lactase decreases, increasing your risk of lactose intolerance. Race and ethnic background is also a risk factor. Those most at risk include Asian Americans, African Americans, American Indians and American Hispanics. Americans of northern European descent are the least likely to suffer from lactose intolerance.
Signs
Signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary from the mild to the severe. Symptoms usually occur 30 minutes after eating a food containing lactose. Common signs of lactose intolerance include abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, abdominal bloating and nausea.
Diagnosis
If you think you are lactose intolerant, you should consult with your physician for a diagnosis. She may first suggest you eliminate foods containing lactose. She can also perform tests, such as the hydrogen breath test or stool acidity test, to confirm a diagnosis.
Managing Lactose Intolerance
You can manage your symptoms of lactose intolerance by decreasing the amount of dairy in your diet. You may be able to tolerate foods with lower levels of lactose such as cheese and yogurt. Dairy foods are a good source of calcium and if you are unable to consume dairy foods, you need to include alternate sources of calcium in your diet, such as fortified juice and cereal, almonds, spinach, rhubarb, salmon with the bones or fortified soy milk.
