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Lactose Intolerance - Lactose Intolerance symptom, treatment, causes

Inability to digest lactose (milk sugar) caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme normally produced by the small intestine to break down lactose. lactase deficiency may be temporary or permanent. In premature babies there may be temporary lactose intolerance until enzyme production by the intestine has matured. Later in life, temporary deficiency may result from severe GASTROENTERITIS or other bowel inflammations such as CROHN'S DISEASE. Permanent deficie'ncy normally develops between the ages of IO and 20. Fewer than 15 percent of adults of European descent develop lactose intolerance, while up to 80 :per cent of black Africans and Asians may develop the condition. Symptoms of lactose intolerance range from mild to severe, and include diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea, abdominal bloating and cramps. The symptoms are controlled by a dairy-free diet or, in mild intolerance, simply by avoiding milk drinks. If a lactose free diet must be started in childhood, oral calcium supplements are needed, or milk can be predigestea by the addition of lactase drops or tablets

Lactose intolerance, also called lactase deficiency, means you aren't able to fully digest milk sugar (lactose) in dairy products. Lactose intolerance does not mean you are allergic to milk, but you will probably feel bad after drinking milk or eating cheese, ice cream, or anything else containing lactose. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Some people who think they are lactose intolerant actually don't have impaired lactose digestion. And not everyone with low levels of lactase is lactose intolerant. Only people with low lactase levels and symptoms are considered to have lactose intolerance. A relatively recent genetic change caused some populations, including many northern Europeans, to continue producing lactase into adulthood. Lactose intolerance is an autosomal recessive trait , while lactase-persistence is the dominant allele . The gene is expressed and the enzyme synthesized if at least one of the two genes are able to express properly. Only when both gene expressions are affected is lactase enzyme synthesis reduced, which in turn reduces lactose digestion.

Lactose intolerance in adulthood is very common and is due to a genetically programmed progressive reduction of the small intestinal enzyme lactase. Lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Most mammals stop producing lactase when they are weaned humans, however, continue to produce it throughout life. Without enough lactase, a person can have digestive problems like abdominal pain and diarrhoea. However, it is quite common among people from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and some Mediterranean countries, as well as among Australian Aborigines. Up to five per cent of Caucasians and up to 75 per cent of non-Caucasians living in Australia are lactose intolerant. Many Australian babies are unnecessarily weaned because their irritability is wrongly assumed to be lactose intolerance. Secondary lactose intolerance (which develops after weaning) is more common. This can occur temporarily after a bout of gastroenteritis, for example, but often improves after several weeks as the lining of the gut heals.

Causes of Lactose Intolerance

The common Causes of Lactose Intolerance :

• Cystic fibrosis.
• Immunoglobulin deficiencies.
• Gastroenteritis (or infection in the intestinal tract).
• Nontropical and tropical sprue.
• Aging (lactase decreases as people age) .
• Ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Some Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance :

• Weight loss.
• Diarrhea.
• Bloating .
• Abdominal cramps.
• Gas.
• Abdominal distention.
• Nausea .

Treatment of Lactose Intolerance

• The doctor may recommend lactase enzymes if you can tolerate only small quantities of lactose. The enzyme supplements come in liquid and chewable form.
• Your child's physician may prescribe a calcium supplement if your child is unable to get enough calcium from his/her diet.
• Drink milk with other foods, rather than snacking on milk alone. This slows the digestive process, so you reduce your chance of experiencing lactose intolerance.