After you consume a product or medication that contains lactose your body needs to create enough lactase to break down the lactose. If your intestines don't produce enough lactase, you will develop common lactose intolerant symptoms, such as bloating, gas and diarrhea. If you think you may be lactose intolerant, call your doctor for a clinical diagnosis. Many digestive conditions can cause similar symptoms to lactose intolerance.
About Lactose
Lactose is a sugar found in milk. Lactose cannot be absorbed into the body without first being simplified into simple sugars. Lactose is found in all dairy, including cow's milk, sheep milk, goat's milk and breast milk. Disclose that you're lactose intolerant to your pharmacist because lactose is commonly found in certain medications. Common dairy products that contain lactose include cheese, milk, ice cream, coffee creamer, yogurt and custard. Foods that contain whey, dry milk powder or dairy byproducts most likely contain lactose.
Lactase Reaction
Lactase is the enzyme produced by the small intestines that break lactose down into two simple sugars: galactose and glucose. Once broken down into these simple sugars, the body can absorb the sugars into the bloodstream. If you don't produce enough lactase, eating dairy products can cause uncomfortable symptoms to form. The lack of lactase leaves the lactose undigested throughout the digestive system. Once the lactose reaches the colon, it is attacked by bacteria, which leads to diarrhea, bloating and gas.
Supplementation
If your body doesn't produce enough lactase, you can purchase medications that supplement the lactase for your digestive system. Lactase supplements are sold in pill and liquid form. Taking a lactase supplement before ingesting dairy products will assist your body in digesting the lactose and preventing lactose intolerance symptoms. Some dairy manufacturers add the enzyme during production, creating lactose-free dairy products.
Consideration
If you're diagnosed with lactose intolerance, you may be able to eat certain amounts of different dairy products. For example, yogurt contains live and active cultures that can partially digest the lactose before you ingest it. Some cheeses contain cultures and mold that also decrease the amount of lactose in the product. Experiment with different dairy products to see how much of each one you can eat without developing symptoms.
Conditions
Some gastrointestinal conditions can temporarily restrict the amount of lactase you produce. If you've recently had the stomach flu or food poisoning, you may notice that you cannot digest lactose. Temporary intolerance symptoms should subside within a few weeks after the gastric illness subsides. Symptoms that persist need to be evaluated by your doctor.
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