Lactose intolerance, or lactase deficiency, refers to a condition where your body produces insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase. When you drink milk, or milk products, with this condition you may experience a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal bloating and gas. Gastrointestinal upset may lead to poor quality of sleep.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance refers to a condition where your body does not make enough of the lactase enzyme. This enzyme is required to break down lactase, a type of sugar in milk and other milk products. Lactose is very common in adults, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center, with nearly 30 million Americans having this condition by the time they are 20 years old. Lactose intolerance is not generally a dangerous condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lactose intolerance are primarily gastrointestinal. If you are lactose intolerant, you will likely experience abdominal bloating and cramping, as well as increased gas. You may experience presence of floating stools, foul smelling stools and diarrhea. If you are lactose intolerant, consuming milk products might also make you feel nauseous. Some may experience weight loss and malnutrition, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms are usually mild and short-lived.
Poor Sleep
Poor sleep can take its toll on your health and emotional well being in short course. A study of infants, published in the June 1988 edition of the journal "Sleep," reported milk-intolerance is related to sleeplessness in babies. Trouble sleeping is not restricted to infancy. You might experience sleep disturbances due to discomfort. Stomach upset can disrupt your sleep, particularly if you are awakening in the middle of the night due to frequent bouts of diarrhea.
Treatment
Treatment for lactose intolerance involves avoiding foods containing lactose, including milk, cheese, yogurt and other milk-containing products. When you cannot avoid lactose, supplement forms of lactase are available over-the-counter to assist with your digestion of lactose. Some milk products are easier to digest without the lactase enzyme than others, including buttermilk, fermented milk products, ice cream and lactose-removed milk products, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Your sleep should improve after the lactose is removed. If your sleep disruption continues, see your doctor regarding other potential causes.
