If after consuming dairy products you develop excessive diarrhea that leads to weight loss, you may be lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance that is left untreated can cause you to lose a significant amount of weight because of frequent diarrhea. Any time you lose unexpected weight, you should be evaluated by your doctor. Lactose intolerance is incurable, but it is manageable through supplementation and dietary changes. Your doctor can provide you with treatment for your condition.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a sugar found in milk that can cause digestive complications after consuming dairy products. Lactose intolerance is most commonly diagnosed during adolescence or your early 20s. According to National Institutes of Health website Medline Plus, an estimated 30 million Americans have some degree of intolerance toward lactose by the age of 20. Lactose intolerance is the result of a lactase deficiency. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose into simple sugars that can be absorbed into your blood stream. Without this enzyme, lactose cannot be digested and causes digestive complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms are the result of interactions with the undigested lactose and bacteria found in the colon. The interaction causes minor to severe stomach pain, abdominal cramping, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Diarrhea from lactose intolerance is explosive and foul-smelling. Symptoms typically form within 20 to 30 minutes of consuming lactose. If you notice blood in your stool, call your doctor because this may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
Weight
Lactose intolerance does not often cause any change in weight. If you are severely lactose intolerant and you continue to consume large amounts of dairy products on a daily basis, you can experience excessive weight loss. Weight loss from lactose intolerance is from excessive diarrhea, which can cause dehydration and further complications. Weight loss is preventable through eliminating diary products, using a lactase supplement or buying dairy that is labeled "lactose-free."
Consideration
If you continue to experience diarrhea and weight loss, even when using a lactase supplement, you may have a milk allergy. Milk allergies are commonly confused with lactose intolerance because the two conditions can cause similar symptoms to form after consuming dairy products. A milk allergy is a more serious medical condition that could lead to severe reactions, such as the inability to breathe, throat swelling and a rapid heart rate. There is no cure for a milk allergy aside from eliminating all dairy products from your diet.
