Ice cream, cereal with milk, and cheese are all foods most people enjoy — unless you happen to be lactose intolerant. But why could you ingest dairy products as a kid but now have horrible bloating and diarrhea when you attempt to eat or drink them?
Adult lactose intolerance is a prevalent issue that causes various uncomfortable symptoms — but, fortunately, you can manage it quickly. At Gateway Gastroenterology, our team of experienced gastroenterologists offers lactose intolerance testing to determine the most suitable course of treatment for your specific needs.
Lactose intolerance happens when the body can't digest lactose, which is a sugar found in almost all dairy products. People with lactose intolerance don't produce enough lactase, which is the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose.
It's crucial to understand that lactose intolerance isn't an allergy; it's an issue that causes uncomfortable symptoms that aren't life-threatening.
People with lactose intolerance often experience symptoms within 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting lactose. However, not all dairy products contain the same amount of lactose, making some foods more challenging to digest than others.
Primary lactase deficiency is the most common form of lactose intolerance and usually becomes apparent by age 20. Lactose intolerance among adults is widespread, with up to 68% of people worldwide experiencing the problem.
If you suspect lactose intolerance or don’t yet know whether you have it, you can watch for some specific signs. Signs of a lactose intolerance attack typically show up within an hour of eating dairy that contains lactose.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance usually happen within the gut and often include:
Everyone experiences lactose intolerance differently, depending on how much their body can tolerate. Some people may experience symptoms within a half hour, while others may not feel them until a day later.
If you're experiencing gas and bloating or diarrhea from lactose intolerance, it's essential to thwart any further attacks. Managing lactose intolerance is achievable, but it requires some effort and research. Many foods contain lactose that you wouldn't expect.
Sudden onset adult lactose intolerance is frustrating, but eliminating dairy doesn't have to be the answer. We offer the following solutions to help manage adult lactose intolerance:
Over-the-counter lactase supplements provide your body with the enzyme necessary to digest lactose. Take a lactase supplement with your first bite of dairy to prevent uncomfortable symptoms from arising.
Dairy products do contain important nutritional content like vitamin D and calcium. You don't have to cut all dairy out, but you should limit it to hard cheeses and yogurts that contain probiotics. Both of these contain less lactose and are less likely to upset your system.
Your body may be able to tolerate small amounts of lactose, which is where an elimination diet comes in. You cut out dairy for a short time and begin introducing it back into your diet in small portions.
Once you figure out how much your body tolerates before you get symptoms, you can incorporate small amounts into your diet to get nutrition without gas and bloating.
Yogurt with live cultures is easier for the body to digest. The yogurt is often thicker, and this consistency leads to slower gastric emptying. Plus, the cultures often produce lactase for easier digestion.
Higher-fat dairy also slows gastric emptying, which may delay or prevent symptoms from popping up. Slowly introduce full-fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese, or ice cream, to see what your body tolerates.
If milk or yogurt does bother your stomach, plenty of dairy-free alternatives from which to choose are available. Soy, almond, and coconut milk and yogurts are great alternatives to dairy products.
Call or message Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment for lactose intolerance testing.