If you suffer from painful gas, bloating, cramps, nausea or diarrhea within two hours of eating dairy products, you might be lactose intolerant. People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest and absorb lactose, the sugar in dairy products. Its symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they are usually manageable with diet and lifestyle modifications.
Lactose Intolerance
The small intestine manufactures an enzyme called lactase that enables lactose digestion. When lactase is deficient or not present, foods containing lactose cause a range of adverse reactions. People of African, Asian, Native American and Mediterranean descent are more likely to have problems digesting lactose than most Europeans, who traditionally have consumed more cow's milk. Lactose intolerance also results from bowel surgery, intestinal diseases and damage from viruses and bacteria.
Gas and Bloating
Abdominal bloating after eating dairy products or drinking milk is a common symptom of lactose intolerance. This swelling is a result of gas produced from your inability to absorb lactose. Gas and bloating usually appear 30 minute to two hours after you consume foods or drinks containing lactose, like milk or cheese. Eliminating lactose from your diet prevents these symptoms. See your doctor if the swelling doesn't go away, or if your abdomen is painful to the touch or accompanied by bloody stools or fever.
Nausea and Diarrhea
The inability to absorb lactose also causes gastrointestinal distress like nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Diarrhea is the most serious of these conditions, since it leads to dehydration if it continues over an extended period. If you notice dark-colored urine, faintness and dizziness, dry skin or fatigue, see your doctor. Other conditions, such as viruses, bacterial and parasitic infections, stress or reactions to certain medications, also cause diarrhea.
Recommendations
If you experience gas, bloating, cramping, nausea or diarrhea shortly after consuming lactose, see your doctor for a diagnosis and advice. Currently, there is no way to increase the body's production of lactase. However, avoiding lactose-rich foods like dairy can help diminish or eliminate your symptoms. Eat other sources of calcium such as almonds, salmon, soy and rice milk, tofu and green vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach and bok choy. Make sure to read ingredient labels for whey, milk powder, milk solids and milk by-products, all of which contain lactose.
