A Lactose intolerance is a common digestive issue where the body is unable to or struggles to digest lactose. This condition will often present itself symptomatically and can become extremely uncomfortable and inconvenient for people to carry out their everyday activities.
This article will answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding lactose intolerance, how to diagnose it, and how it can be treated.
What Is Lactose?
For those who don’t know about biochemistry, lactose is a sugar disaccharide. Lactose is also known as milk sugar and is found in processed dairy items like milky bread, ice cream, potatoes, cereals, and chocolates.
Is There Any Difference Between Lactose Intolerance And A Milk Allergy?
It is a million-dollar question whether there is any difference between lactose intolerance and milk allergy. And the answer is yes! Both are different medical conditions related to the human body’s digestive system.
If the gut fails to synthesise lactase enzymes, the situation causes lactose intolerance. Hence no glucose will be formed. The villi in the intestine lining fail to suck it up; therefore, lactose passes towards the large intestine, where several bacteria await it.
Bacteria use lactose as their source of energy. However, their metabolic pathway produces several gases in the gut, which causes discomfort.
Milk allergy is an auto-immune disease due to the malfunctioning of defensive cells. The immune cells start producing antibodies against the milk protein and its components, considering foreign particles like bacteria, viruses, and endoparasites.
Hence it is necessary to go for a lactose intolerance test for the correct detection of the trouble.
Indications Of Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a digestive health problem; hence, its symptoms match common gut disorders. This can make it unclear whether or not you are actually suffering from this condition specifically. Therefore, it is beneficial to go for a lactose intolerance test via a professional health provider to officially diagnose.
Following are some common symptoms of lactose intolerance test:
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal Pain
- Intestinal Gas
You have to take up the dairy product while fasting for 12-24 hours and observe if you experience these symptoms.
Repeat the test to double-check the signs. If you feel the same symptoms, immediately go for a consultation with any gastroenterologist.
How Can Intolerance Be Treated?
If you are tested positive on the lactose intolerance test, you must consult your doctor or visit a dietitian. The best way to bring your digestive system back to its normal working state is by using a lactose-free diet.
Different daily companies are supplying lactose-free milk in the market for those who cannot resist the presence of lactose in their diet.
Furthermore, you need to avoid consuming potatoes, cereals, chocolates, milkshakes, and ice cream. If you do not restrict yourself to a proper lactose-free diet plan, you may have to suffer from the same situation again.
Summary:
The best part is that there is no severity in case of this health condition as it can be easily treated. However, if one suffers from digestive tract issues, the body already gets weak. And a fragile body means a fragile immune system, which makes it more difficult to fight off these symptoms. Hence visit your doctor for professional medical advice.
