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🥛 Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine.
🔍 Causes
- Primary lactase deficiency (most common): Natural decline of lactase production after childhood
- Secondary lactase deficiency: Due to injury or illness affecting the small intestine (e.g., infections, celiac disease)
- Congenital lactase deficiency: Rare genetic condition from birth
⚠️ Symptoms
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Gas and flatulence
- Nausea (sometimes)
- Symptoms typically occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming lactose-containing foods
🧪 Diagnosis
- Lactose hydrogen breath test
- Lactose tolerance blood test
- Elimination diet followed by lactose challenge
🛠️ Treatment
- Avoid or limit lactose-containing foods
- Use lactose-free dairy products or lactase enzyme supplements
- Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake from other sources
- Gradually reintroduce lactose to build tolerance (in some cases)