You are lactose intolerant if two conditions are true: Your digestive system is unable to break down milk sugar -- lactose -- into energy, and you experience the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. If you develop stomach cramps every time you ingest dairy products, your body may be having trouble digesting the lactose in them. Since other health problems can cause similar discomfort, do not self-diagnose. See a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
About Lactose Intolerance
The cells in the walls of your small intestine produce the enzyme lactase. The substance breaks lactose down into glucose and galactose, two sugars that are easy for your body to assimilate. When a condition incapacitates your intestinal cells, you may develop lactose intolerance because of a lactase deficiency. Your inability to digest milk sugar causes several symptoms.
Symptoms
A stomach cramp is only one of the symptoms you may develop if you cannot produce lactase. Other digestive problems include bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and nausea. Lactose intolerance is not a serious condition in adults, but it may cause stunted development and low weight in infants and young children.
Causes
Genetics and health determine whether your intestinal cells can make lactase. You are more likely to be intolerant if you are descended from Asians, Africans, Native Americans or from Europeans of the Mediterranean region. The incidence of lactose intolerance among western and northern Europeans is not as common. Premature babies are also sometimes unable to manufacture lactase. Viral and bacterial infections can kill the cells lining the small intestine, making enzyme production impossible. Autoimmune conditions that affect the digestive system, such as celiac disease, also damage cells with similar consequence. Intestinal surgery is another possible cause of lactose intolerance.
Managing Lactose Intolerance
Follow your doctor’s dietary guidelines to prevent stomach cramps and other symptoms. She may suggest you take lactase enzymes so you can still eat some dairy. Not every milk product may cause symptoms. Eat items separately and pay attention to how you feel afterwards. PubMed Health says fermented milk products such as buttermilk and yogurt may be easy to digest. Cheese and ice cream might also pass through your gut without causing symptoms. Supermarkets also sell lactose-free and lactase-enriched milk, which you can not only drink but also use for baking and other cooking.
