If you're lactose intolerant, your body does not produce enough lactase, an intestinal enzyme that digests the lactose in the foods you consume. Lactose is found in most dairy products such as cheese or milk. Lactose intolerance manifests differently in the body than a milk allergy. Pay attention to your body's response to best manage your dairy intake.
Stomach and Small Intestine
Once you've ingested a lactose product, such as ice cream or cheese pizza, your body absorbs the lactose introduced. When you are lactose intolerant, the stomach acids break the food down, but the small intestine is unable to produce enough lactase enzyme to digest the lactose. In a person who produces adequate lactase, lactose, a simple sugar, is broken down into galactose and glucose in the small intestine and used for energy.
Large Intestine
In the large intestine, the lactose, which is not broken down, can lead to gas and diarrhea. It can also cause cramps and bloating. It often results in an urgent need to use the bathroom and foul-smelling gas. Typically, once you have voided, you return to feeling normal and healthy.
Considerations
It's not normal to experience hives, a runny nose, wheezing, rash or vomiting with lactose intolerance. If your body displays these symptoms, you may have an allergy to the protein common in milk, which is a more serious condition than lactose intolerance and more difficult to treat. While diarrhea is common to both lactose intolerance and milk allergy, you should check with your medical practitioner to conclusively rule out a milk allergy. This is commonly done by removing dairy from the diet for six weeks, then reintroducing it and seeing how your body responds.
Treatment
If you're certain your symptoms are prompted by lactose intolerance, it's relatively easy to treat. The lactase enzyme is commercially available in supplements -- typically, a small tablet that you take at the start of any dairy snack or meal. Also, there are many products available as alternatives to dairy including soy milk and lactose-free cheeses and desserts. Also, everyone's tolerance to lactose is different and as such, you many be able to tolerate small amounts of lactose. Calcium and vitamin D provided by dairy are critical to a healthy diet. If a child is lactose intolerant, it is especially important that he obtain these nutrients. Seek your doctor's advice on the use of a supplemental lactase enzyme or alternative dairy products to avoid deficiencies.
