Lactose intolerance can occur in various ways but is caused by the same deficiency. If you're lactose intolerant your body cannot digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance is commonly confused with a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is a digestive complication while a milk allergy is a malfunction in the immune system. Your doctor can provide you with a proper diagnosis of your condition, what caused it and how you can treat it. Most cases of lactose intolerance are a chronic condition with no cure.
Lactase Deficiency
The reason you cannot digest lactose is because your digestive system isn't producing enough lactase. When you eat any type of sugar your intestines produces specific enzymes that help break down the sugar and absorb it into the body. Lactase is the enzyme needed to digest lactose. If you lack lactase, lactose remains undigested and works it way through the small intestines. Once it reaches the large intestine, or colon, bacteria interact with it, causing common lactose intolerance symptoms. Common symptoms include gas, bloating, diarrhea, foul-smelling stools and stomach cramping.
Primary Lactose Intolerance
Primary lactose intolerance is the most common type of lactose intolerance. This condition develops as you age because your body stops making as much lactase. When you're born your small intestines make a lot of lactase because your entire nutrition is predicated on consuming dairy. As you age, the intestines slow down the production of lactase. If your body stops making too much lactase, you become lactose intolerant. Primarily lactose intolerance is not preventable and you can manage it through modifying your diet.
Secondary Lactose Intolerance
Secondary lactose intolerance is a lactase deficiency that occurs after surgery, an illness or injury to your small intestines. You may become temporarily lactose intolerant after you have the stomach flu or other infections of the intestines. Some people with celiac or Crohn's disease may become lactose intolerant, caused by the gastrointestinal condition. If the condition or injury is temporary, the body may resume creating normal levels of lactase after the body heals.
Congenital Lactose Intolerance
Congenital lactose intolerance is a lactase deficiency that occurs in premature babies. This type of lactose intolerance is very rare and will typically improve on or around the baby's estimated due date. This type of lactose intolerance may also occur if both the mother and father pass on a specific gene that causes inherited lactose intolerance. If your baby is born with lactose intolerance you may need to use lactase enzyme supplements in your expelled breast milk or use a lactose-free baby formula.
