Lactose intolerance means that you do not produce enough lactase enzyme in your small intestine to properly digest lactose, a natural sugar in many dairy products. As a result, eating dairy can cause bloating, foul-smelling gas and diarrhea. This condition is relatively common and can be managed if you understand how it manifests. The condition often becomes more pronounced with age.
Age
For most people, your level of lactase enzyme begins to diminish starting at age 2. This is because of the weaning process that naturally occurs at this age. However, the tailing off of lactase enzyme production is individual -- some may immediately become lactose intolerant, and others may never develop the intolerance. For many people, lactase enzyme production keeps up with their diet but becomes an issue if they indulge in an overabundance of dairy products, such as eating cheese pizza and ice cream in one meal.
Illness
Lactose intolerance may also occur after a violent bout of intestinal infection, such as gastroenteritis. This is more typical later in life as you are exposed to viruses from co-workers and fellow students. You may recover from this, though it may take up to a month. During the period that you are unable to properly digest lactose, you may suffer from symptoms and set back your ability to digest lactose if you consume it. If you have been ill with an intestinal infection, introduce dairy back into your diet slowly.
In addition, at any age, some viruses, such as HIV, giardiasis and rotavirus, can cause temporary or permanent inability to produce the lactase enzyme, which makes you lactose intolerant. Chemotherapy, Crohn's disease and celiac disease, which are all more typical later in life, may also cause or contribute to lactose intolerance.
Common Factors
Consuming dairy products is key to maintaining bone health. For many people, lactose intolerance doesn't appear until later in life, during adolescence or early adulthood, when their skeletal growth is complete. If you have a family member who is lactose intolerant, you may be more prone to developing the condition yourself. Lactose intolerance is more common in those with black, Hispanic or Asian backgrounds. In addition, premature infants may be more inclined to develop lactose intolerance as the enzyme is developed during the latter stages of gestation.
Treatment
Lactose intolerance is a food intolerance. It cannot be cured at any age. However, adults and teens who manifest lactose intolerance later in life and are comfortable swallowing pills take over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements to introduce the digestive enzyme to their systems. This decreases any symptoms and can be effective. Not all of those with the condition find this enzyme to be fully effective. Try it at home to see if over-the-counter supplements are effective for your intolerance.
