Lactose intolerance is a common condition in which the sugar in milk and other dairy products can't be fully digested. It is sometimes triggered by gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract, according to William Grady, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. The good news is that lactose intolerance triggered by gastroenteritis is usually only temporary.
Description
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, nausea, cramps, bloating and gas. It usually occurs in people who are deficient in lactase, an enzyme produced by the lining of the small intestine. However, a bout with gastroenteritis, sometimes called stomach flu, can trigger lactose intolerance due to injury to the GI tract, Dr. Grady explains. Viral gastroenteritis can cause shedding of the cells of the lining of the small intestine. When these cells are lost, the body isn't able to digest lactose. The lactose intolerance is temporary because cells lost due to gastroenteritis regrow easily.
Types
There are three types of lactose intolerance. Primary lactose intolerance is the lifelong type that most people have due to a lack of lactase enzyme in the body, according to Dr. Brady. Secondary lactose intolerance results from an illness or injury to the GI tract; gastroenteritis can cause this type of lactose intolerance. Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's, can also bring on secondary lactose intolerance. A Sept. 3, 2006, article in "Pediatrics" states that secondary intolerance can occur at any age, but is common in infancy. The third type, congenital lactose intolerance, is an inherited condition present at birth.
Treatment
The body can usually fight off gastroenteritis on its own. A bout with gastroenteritis typically lasts three to five days, but it may take several weeks to regrow the cells that secrete the lactose-digesting enzyme, Dr. Grady explains. In the meantime, you should avoid milk and other dairy products to prevent symptoms of lactose intolerance. You can buy over-the-counter tablets or drops containing the lactase enzyme that will help you digest dairy products, but not everyone with lactose intolerance is helped by these products. Lactose-free milk is also available. It may be more expensive than regular milk, but some chain stores sell inexpensive lactose-free milk under their own brands.
Tips
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and electrolyte-containing drinks when you're suffering with gastroenteritis to replace the fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea and vomiting. After the gastroenteritis passes, Dr. Grady suggests a gradual transition into eating dairy again. Mayo Clinic recommends choosing smaller servings of dairy, saving milk for mealtimes and experimenting with an assortment of dairy products to minimize symptoms of lactose intolerance. Try Swiss cheese, which has only small amounts of lactose. Your GI tract should be back to normal soon. To prevent future bouts of gastroenteritis that may trigger lactose intolerance, wash your hands frequently. Gastroenteritis is highly contagious.
References
- William Grady, M.D., gastroenterologist, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA
- Mayo Clinic; Lactose intolerance; Feb. 16, 2010
- University of Illinoise at Chicago: Lactose Intolerance, Biochemical Background
- Cleveland Clinic: Gastroenteritis
- "Pediatrics"; Lactose Intolerance in Infants, Children, and Adolescents; Melvin B. Heyman, MD, MPH; Sept. 3, 2006
