Kids Health estimates that between 30 and 50 million people in the United States are lactose intolerant. This incidence translates to approximately 1 out of every 10 Americans experiencing some degree of intolerance to lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Some populations, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, are more commonly affected than others. Americans of Northern European descent are the least likely to develop lactose intolerance.
Types of Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance commonly develops as a result of the normal aging process. As you age, your body's natural production of lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose, declines. This type of lactose intolerance is called primary lactose intolerance.
Secondary lactose intolerance occurs as a result of illness or injury to the small intestine. Because lactase is produced in the small intestine, any condition that damages the small intestine or surgery on your intestines can result in lactose intolerance.
Congenital lactose intolerance is a form of the condition that occurs at birth. This type of lactose intolerance is rare.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually occur within 30 minutes to 2 hours after you consume foods or drinks that contain lactose. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas and stomach cramps. Some people experience mild symptoms, whereas others have severe distress.
Treatment
No cure for lactose intolerance exists, so the only way to prevent your symptoms completely is to remove lactose from your diet. Dairy products are the most significant sources of dietary lactose. Milk and milk products that contain lactose are often added to processed foods as well, so if you are lactose intolerant, you should read food labels carefully. Avoid foods that contain milk, lactose, whey, curds, milk solids or milk powder.
Dairy products may be a significant source of calcium in your diet. If you are lactose intolerant and have to remove dairy from your diet, therefore, increase your intake of other foods that contain calcium, such as sardines, spinach, salmon, rhubarb, fortified orange juice and broccoli.
Considerations
Because so many people in the United States are lactose intolerant, food manufacturers have developed lactose-free dairy products, such as milk and cheese. In addition to choosing lactose-free products, you can purchase synthetic lactase, which is available as a tablet that you take during meals that contain lactose to help prevent your symptoms. Alternatives to dairy products are also widely available and include soy, almond, rice and coconut milks, frozen desserts and cheese substitutes that contain no dairy.
