A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable.A deficiency of lactase — an enzyme produced in your small intestine — is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. Lactose intolerance often doesn’t appear until age two or three, once breastfeeding is often definitively over, Brennan explains. While occasional stomachache after drinking a glass of milk might be ignored, feeling sick every time you take a dairy product or by-product may indicate a more serious issue. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. In the colon, normal bacteria interact with undigested lactose, causing the signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance.There are three types of lactose intolerance. Also irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by dairy and its symptoms can be interchangeable with LI. All Rights Reserved. This makes it easier for your body to absorb and digest lactose.For the most part, lactose intolerance is not dangerous and the consequences don’t last long. The small intestine is a hollow tube that runs from the stomach to the large intestine (colon).People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk. Infants, who get all their nutrition from milk, need lactase.As children replace milk with other foods, the amount of lactase they produce normally drops, but usually remains high enough to digest the amount of dairy in a typical adult diet. © 2018. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a patient cannot easily break down or digest lactose. All rights reserved. For some, lack of sufficient lactase makes them feel the need to vomit after eating dairy. However, in rare cases, consuming foods containing lactose can lead to permanent damage to the microvilli (the fingerlike projections found in the wall of the small intestines). Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar in milk and milk products. Different factors cause the lactase deficiency underlying each type.People who develop primary lactose intolerance — the most common type — start life producing enough lactase. The microvilli’s main function is nutrient absorption and when they are damaged, you risk suffering from malnutrition. No one is born without the lactase enzymes in the body. To rule out other possibilities, you can test your body’s ability to process lactose by avoiding eating dairy for a while. You should check for a whey protein allergy. If you're thinking of joining the ‘no-shave’ bandwagon, you might want to think twice after hearing what... What are the Symptoms of a Lactose Intolerance? Although this may be a rare case, if you feel nauseous 30 minutes to two hours after taking food that has lactose, that’s an indication of lactose intolerance. If you love ice-cream, the following news might be upsetting: Research shows that about 75% of the world's population… CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. There’s just something about spa water that makes it taste much cleaner, fresher and healthier than any other type of flavored water. You know you are lactose intolerant when an hour after enjoying a glass of yogurt, your stomach starts to feel bloated. The human body needs lactase, an enzyme found in the intestines to break down this lactose into smaller sugars that can be digested by the body. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a patient cannot easily break down or digest lactose. Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar in milk and milk products. From: What Is Lactose Intolerance? You can have this in addition to lactose intolerance. For some, Due to lactase deficiency, an attempt to break down lactose can lead to a lot of water being drawn to your intestines to aid the process. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products.. Genes could also be the reason for developing lactose intolerance. However, some children may develop lactose intolerance at an early age of two years. Lactose intolerance can vary between countries and ethnicities, but it is estimated that approximately 65% of us may be lactose intolerant. But if your levels are too low you become lactose intolerant, leading to symptoms after you eat or drink dairy. The following are signs and symptoms that may indicate you are lactose intolerant.Lactose intolerance affects people differently. The human body needs lactase, an enzyme found i… People of Asian, African, Jewish and Hispanic origin experience lactose intolerance more than other ethnic groups. However, Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.