Lactose intolerance

Description

A deficiency of enzyme lactase in the small intestine, which helps digest lactose, i.e. its decomposition in two simple sugars – glucose and galactose. Result of this is that some lactose passes undigested to the colon, where bacteria break it into milk acid, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This may cause bloating, cramps and gases. Large amount of lactose in the colon attracts water into bowels causing watery diarrhea. Lactase deficiency may appear with aging and after physical stress, such as bowel surgery or infection of small intestine, as well as due to celiac disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming the meals containing lactose and include: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, gases and excessive fat in stool. Most patients experience only light symptoms but some experience severe, too.

Overview

History of disease is being taken and physical examination is being done. There are three tests that may be done in diagnosis of lactose intolerance: lactose tolerance test, hydrogen breath test and stool acidity test. Only the stool acidity test is adequate for babies and infants.

Additional analyses

Lactose tolerance test, hydrogen breath test, stool acidity test.

Specialists

General Practice, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine

Therapy

There is no adequate treatment for food intolerance at the moment. Once diagnosed the only effective treatment is avoiding the food which causes the problems. In case of lactose intolerance enzyme preparations are available in some countries.