Lactose is the sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance is a condition, where the person won't be able to digest or absorb lactose. This condition is seen, when milk or milk products are consumed. Lactose in itself is made up of glucose and galactose. An enzyme known as lactase is responsible for the absorption of lactose in the body. Lactose intolerance is caused, due to a reduced or absent activity of lactase, which prevents the splitting of lactose. Lactose intolerance causes are congenital causes, secondary causes and developmental causes. Sometimes lactose intolerance can also be confused with cows milk protein allergy, however both these conditions are different from one another.
Lactose Intolerance Symptoms
There are various lactose intolerance symptoms. They include:
* Nausea
* Cramps
* Bloating
* Diarrhea
* Gas
These symptoms can be seen anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking milk or milk products. The seriousness of lactose intolerance depends on how severe the person is intolerant towards lactose. You may want to read more on lactose intolerance in babies.
Treatment for Lactose Intolerance
It is fairly easy to treat lactose intolerance. In most cases, modifying the diet is how you can treat the condition. Simultaneously, there is another factor, which you will have to take into consideration. You should find out, how sensitive the person is to food products containing lactose. You may have to experiment, with what you can eat and what you cannot eat. However, never and I mean NEVER make the changes in one go. You will have to introduce new food products to your system gradually. This will ensure, you get to the food you are sensitive to easily. More on food allergies.
Simultaneously, it's not recommended to completely eliminate any food product from the diet, as it can cause several deficiencies. The most common deficiency is calcium deficiency which includes some important minerals. If a person is severely intolerant to lactose, it is usually good to talk to your health care professional, so that you don't suffer in all forms because of the condition. The health care professional may refer you to a dietitian, who will be able to help you with the other alternatives, which can be included in your diet.
* Milk: Sometimes changing the quantity of milk in your diet, is able to treat the condition. In some instances people are able to digest milk in tea or coffee, but cannot have milk with a cereal. There are others, who are able to digest milk with chocolate. There are people, who cannot digest milk by itself, but they can digest it, when it is consumed included in a meal. There is milk available at the grocery stores, which is less in lactose. Even if small amounts of milk trigger off the symptoms, you'll have to opt for milk alternatives.
* Dairy Products: Often it is seen that, a few of the dairy products are easier to digest than others, as these products contain less lactose when compared with milk itself. Fermented dairy products can also be chosen, as they are easier to digest. You should find out, which dairy products suit your condition and consume them regularly, as they provide essential nutrients required for the body.
In case, you are absolutely intolerant to lactose, you will have to find out ways, through which you can get the required nutrients. To provide the body with calcium, you can opt for vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, okra, dry fruits, soya drinks laden with calcium, tofu, nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, etc. You should remember that for better calcium absorption in the body, you'll have to ensure that you also consume sufficient amounts of Vitamin D, as it helps in the absorption of calcium. To me this is central to the step of lactose intolerance treatment. It is recommended to talk to your health care professional to ensure, you are receiving all the required nutrients from your daily diet.
Lactose Intolerance Symptoms
There are various lactose intolerance symptoms. They include:
* Nausea
* Cramps
* Bloating
* Diarrhea
* Gas
These symptoms can be seen anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking milk or milk products. The seriousness of lactose intolerance depends on how severe the person is intolerant towards lactose. You may want to read more on lactose intolerance in babies.
Treatment for Lactose Intolerance
It is fairly easy to treat lactose intolerance. In most cases, modifying the diet is how you can treat the condition. Simultaneously, there is another factor, which you will have to take into consideration. You should find out, how sensitive the person is to food products containing lactose. You may have to experiment, with what you can eat and what you cannot eat. However, never and I mean NEVER make the changes in one go. You will have to introduce new food products to your system gradually. This will ensure, you get to the food you are sensitive to easily. More on food allergies.
Simultaneously, it's not recommended to completely eliminate any food product from the diet, as it can cause several deficiencies. The most common deficiency is calcium deficiency which includes some important minerals. If a person is severely intolerant to lactose, it is usually good to talk to your health care professional, so that you don't suffer in all forms because of the condition. The health care professional may refer you to a dietitian, who will be able to help you with the other alternatives, which can be included in your diet.
* Milk: Sometimes changing the quantity of milk in your diet, is able to treat the condition. In some instances people are able to digest milk in tea or coffee, but cannot have milk with a cereal. There are others, who are able to digest milk with chocolate. There are people, who cannot digest milk by itself, but they can digest it, when it is consumed included in a meal. There is milk available at the grocery stores, which is less in lactose. Even if small amounts of milk trigger off the symptoms, you'll have to opt for milk alternatives.
* Dairy Products: Often it is seen that, a few of the dairy products are easier to digest than others, as these products contain less lactose when compared with milk itself. Fermented dairy products can also be chosen, as they are easier to digest. You should find out, which dairy products suit your condition and consume them regularly, as they provide essential nutrients required for the body.
In case, you are absolutely intolerant to lactose, you will have to find out ways, through which you can get the required nutrients. To provide the body with calcium, you can opt for vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, okra, dry fruits, soya drinks laden with calcium, tofu, nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, etc. You should remember that for better calcium absorption in the body, you'll have to ensure that you also consume sufficient amounts of Vitamin D, as it helps in the absorption of calcium. To me this is central to the step of lactose intolerance treatment. It is recommended to talk to your health care professional to ensure, you are receiving all the required nutrients from your daily diet.
