What is Lactose Intolerance? What are the symptoms?

Lactose intolerance occurs when a person’s body has problems digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk. People suffering from this condition experience various digestive complaints, such as abdominal discomfort, after consuming dairy products such as milk, ice cream, yoghurt or cheese. Lactose intolerance is a common condition and can be controlled with a simple dietary change. “What does lactose intolerance mean?” and “What happens if lactose intolerance is left untreated?” You can follow the rest of the article for answers to your questions such as.

What is Lactose?

Lactose is a type of sugar found primarily in milk and dairy products. In order for lactose sugar to be broken down into the small sugars (monosaccharides) that make it up, it must be processed in the small intestines by an enzyme called lactase. In the absence of the lactase enzyme, lactose in milk and dairy products cannot be digested. As a result of this situation, complaints such as excessive gas, bloating, cramps and diarrhea occur.

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a clinical syndrome in which various characteristic signs and symptoms occur following the consumption of foods containing this sugar. Normally, as lactose passes into the small intestine, it is broken down into building blocks called glucose and galactose by the lactase enzyme secreted in this region. If there is any problem with the lactase enzyme, the person cannot tolerate lactose and therefore lactose sensitivity occurs. The severity of lactose intolerance varies from person to person. Lactose, the sugar of milk and dairy products, is also a substance found in breast milk.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Lactose allergy symptoms refer to complaints that occur following the consumption of milk and dairy products containing this sugar. The severity of the complaints may occur in a wide range, from mild discomfort to a serious reaction. The degree of complaints is also related to the lactase enzyme level in the person’s body and the amount of lactose consumed. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of lactose without experiencing any complaints. However, it should not be forgotten that the level of this tolerance varies from person to person.

Many signs and symptoms may occur in people with lactose intolerance. Some of these symptoms are as follows:

• Swelling,
• Abdominal pain and cramps,
• Gas,
• Nausea and vomiting,

A person experiences a sudden urge to go to the toilet within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming lactose. If the complaint of diarrhea continues for a long time, care should be taken as conditions such as fluid deficiency, weight loss and electrolyte imbalance called dehydration may develop.

What Causes Lactose Intolerance?

There are various mechanisms behind lactose intolerance. The first condition, called primary lactose intolerance, occurs as a natural consequence of the aging process. This condition is the most common form of lactose intolerance. Many people have normal lactase enzyme levels from birth. The reason for this is that babies need this enzyme to digest breast milk, which is the main nutritional source. However, the level of this enzyme may not always remain at sufficient levels. In most people, there is a slight decrease in lactase enzyme levels with aging. The underlying reason for this situation is the diversification of foods in the diet after infancy. The decrease in lactase enzyme usually occurs gradually.

Secondary lactose intolerance, another cause of lactose intolerance, occurs mainly after various trauma and diseases. Lactose intolerance may also develop as a result of various digestive system diseases, especially celiac and inflammatory bowel diseases, or operations that affect the small intestine. Appropriate intervention to the underlying health problem in these people can also reduce lactose intolerance.

Although rare, lactose intolerance is a condition that can be transmitted in families. The genetic defect related to lactose intolerance found in some families can be transmitted through generations, causing lactase deficiency in affected family members starting from childhood. In this condition, defined as congenital lactose intolerance, the baby becomes sensitive to breast milk and formula containing lactose. If not diagnosed and intervened early, congenital lactose intolerance causes rapid loss of fluid and electrolytes in the baby; can reach life-threatening levels. However, it should not be forgotten that congenital lactose intolerance can be controlled with a simple change such as the use of lactose-free formula.

Developmental lactose intolerance, another form of lactose intolerance, is used to describe lactose intolerance conditions that occur after premature birth of the baby. Normally, the secretion of lactase enzyme in the unborn baby is a condition that occurs in the last stages of pregnancy. Therefore, lactase enzyme levels in babies born before 34 weeks may not yet be at a level that allows the digestive system functions to be fully fulfilled.

How is Lactose Intolerance Diagnosed?

People with complaints of lactose intolerance may be advised to make a list of which products their symptoms occur after consumption before applying to healthcare institutions. This list also makes it easier to determine the diet established during treatment planning. In many cases, a diagnosis of lactose intolerance can be made based solely on the person’s anamnesis, without any examination. In such cases, the foods that cause the person’s complaints are removed from the nutrition plan and it is observed whether there is a regression in the complaints. However, there are generally three basic tests that can be performed to reveal the presence of lactose intolerance. In the hydrogen breath test, one of these tests, the person is asked to breathe into a balloon or bag-like object a few hours after feeding. The air accumulated in this bag-shaped apparatus is stored for use in the next stage of the test. After exhalation, the patient is given a liquid containing 50 grams of lactose. Measurement processes are repeated for a period of up to 6 hours after consumption of the liquid. Hydrogen is not a substance found in the breath of healthy individuals. However, if a person with lactose intolerance consumes this substance, lactose sugar remains undigested in the intestines and is fermented by bacteria in this area. During fermentation, hydrogen gas is released into the environment. Therefore, in people with lactose intolerance, there is the presence of hydrogen gas in the breath after consuming foods containing this sugar. Comparing the samples taken before and after consumption, revealing the presence of hydrogen gas is also a finding that allows the diagnosis of lactose intolerance. Stool acidity test is a lactose intolerance test that can be preferred in infants and young children. In this examination, which does not involve any invasive procedure, the patient’s stool sample can be examined to investigate the presence of various molecules such as lactic acid, glucose and short-chain fatty acid, which are formed as a result of lactose not being digested in the body.

How to Test for Lactose Intolerance?

Another test used in the diagnosis of lactose intolerance is the lactose intolerance test. Lactose intolerance testing can be applied to both adults and children. At the beginning of this test, patients are asked not to consume any food for a few hours and their current sugar levels are determined by taking blood samples. After taking the blood sample, the person is given a liquid containing 50 grams of lactose. Following the consumption of the liquid, blood samples are taken from the patient for 2 hours to investigate the effect of lactose consumption on blood sugar levels. If the individual has the lactase enzyme in his body, the lactose consumed at the beginning of the test can be broken down into glucose and galactose, resulting in increased blood sugar. However, detecting that there is no increase in blood sugar in repeated measurements indicates that the person cannot digest this sugar, so the person can be diagnosed with lactose intolerance.

How is Lactose Intolerance Treated?

In cases where lactose intolerance occurs due to another underlying health problem, treating this condition can help control lactose sensitivity. However, it should not be forgotten that this treatment process may cover a period of several months. In cases of lactose intolerance due to other reasons, the person should follow a lactose-free diet plan in order to relieve the complaints.

What is Good for Lactose Intolerance?

The best practice for lactose intolerance is to remove lactose-containing foods from the person’s diet. If there is a situation that requires the consumption of milk and dairy products, capsules containing the lactase enzyme, which relaxes the person before feeding, can be used, provided that the doctor’s knowledge and recommendation are available.

What Should Those With Lactose Intolerance Eat?

People with lactose intolerance can consume many different types of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, red meat, white meat, seafood, eggs and legumes, in addition to milk and dairy products.

Lactose is a sugar that can be found in various soups, sauces and other ready-made foods, especially milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance may occur in some people due to the deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which is involved in the digestion of this sugar. If you observe signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance in yourself or those around you, it is recommended that you consult a health institution.