What You Should Know About Lactose Intolerant Symptoms

Lactose intolerant symptoms manifest when a person lacks lactase in the lining of the small intestines. Lactase is a kind of enzyme which is responsible for breaking down lactose, the sugar that is found in milk. If you experience discomfort after ingesting milk or other kinds of food containing milk, then you might be suffering from the condition known in the medical circle as hypolactasia.

Abdominal pain is normally the very first symptom that appears whenever a lactose intolerant person ingests milk or milk-based products. And more often than not, this pain in the abdomen will exhibit almost immediately after milk intake. Furthermore, the intensity of the abdominal pain will vary. Some experience only a mild ache emanating from the stomach, while others report more severe pain.

Abdominal pain is oftentimes accompanied by flatulence as well. The increased occurrence of flatulence normally happens when lactose finally reaches the colon. This happens because a certain type of bacterium naturally found in the colon, one which contains lactase, attempts to break down the lactose. Because the bacterium needs to work double time to digest the lactose, a process which should have happened in the small intestines, an unusually large volume of hydrogen is then produced. Of course, this needs to be disposed of. And the body does so by passing the gas through the anus.

Diarrhea is also a very common manifestation of hypolactasia. Diarrhea is characterized by an increased bowel movement, specifically three or more times during the day. Also, the feces eliminated are usually very loose and sometimes containing only liquids. The onset of diarrhea after milk ingestion among the lactase deficient may vary. Some will experience it almost straight away while others have a few hours before diarrhea will set in.

Abdominal distention, a condition wherein the abdomen becomes uncharacteristically enlarged and which sometimes feels hard too, is another manifestation of intolerance to milk and other milk-based products. Though quite uncommon, this can cause considerable pain to the sufferer because of involuntary contractions of the abdominal muscles. Oftentimes too, abdominal distention is accompanied by increased flatulence.

Nausea or vomiting can be experienced after milk intake by those with lactose intolerance as well. But this is very uncommon though. Also, this condition mostly afflicts those with severe cases of lactase deficiency.

The advancements in medical science have now made proper detection of hypolactasia possible. One test involves intake of a solution containing high doses of lactose. After which several blood samples will be taken to determine increase of glucose, a kind of sugar produced after the break down of lactose. If glucose levels don’t increase, then it means the body isn’t capable of digesting milk and milk-based products. There’s also the hydrogen breath test which is done after intake of the lactose-rich solution. The levels of hydrogen will be checked and any significant increase of the gas in the breath signals hypolactasia.

If you ever suffer from uncharacteristic digestive discomfort after you take in milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and even ice cream, then it would be smart to go see a doctor. This way, you can be tested for hypolactasia. Remember, you can always seek qualified medical help so that you won’t have to suffer from lactose intolerant symptoms ever again.

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