Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, or milk sugar, because of a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. This condition creates a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, diarrhea, gas and abdominal cramps. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no cure for lactose intolerance, but you can take steps to minimize its impact.
Lactose Intolerance
Although not a dangerous condition, lactose intolerance is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Lactose is found in most milk products and cannot be properly digested if insufficient lactase is produced in the small intestine lining. If you have low levels of lactase and exhibit symptoms after ingesting milk, cheese, ice cream, cream cheese and similar food products, you have lactose intolerance.
Bloating
When the milk sugars draw fluids into the bowel, bloating is often the result. According to Daniel L. Swagerty Jr., M.D., et al., writing in "American Family Physician," the fluid influx into the bowel can be triple the normal amount. This means that your gut now has more fluid than required to process the contents. Bacteria affect unabsorbed lactose, while fermentation creates excess gases.
Other Symptoms
Lactose intolerance, although not serious, can create other uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea, watery stool and abdominal cramping. These symptoms usually occur between 30 minutes and two hours after eating food containing lactose. These can also be symptoms of other diseases, so see your doctor to rule out serious causes.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your physician makes a diagnosis after a review of symptom history and dietary monitoring. According to the Mayo Clinic, your physician may also administer the hydrogen breath test, which measures the amount of hydrogen on your breath at regular intervals after consuming lactose. A stool acidity test is sometimes used. Treatment of lactose intolerance and bloating generally requires abstaining from most dairy foods. Purchase milk products that have had the lactose removed, or take a lactase enzyme supplement if you eat a dairy food.
