Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose , the predominant sugar of milk. This is not the same thing as a milk allergy. Lactose intolerants may only avoid the products that cause the suggestive symbols of the intolerance and still get the required amount of Calcium.

Lactose intolerance results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into simpler forms that can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, the results, although not usually dangerous, may be very distressing.

Common symptoms, which begin about 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose , include:

• nausea 
• cramps 
• bloating 
• gas 
• diarrhea 

There are no preventive measures for this condition.

Digestive diseases or injuries to the small intestine can reduce the amount of enzymes produced, and some children are unable to produce lactase from birth. However, most cases of lactose intolerance develop over a period of many years. For most of the people, lactase deficiency is a condition that develops naturally over time. After about the age of two, the body begins to produce less lactase, and many people may not experience symptoms until they are much older.

The most obvious way to prevent the discomfort caused by Lactose intolerance is to avoid intake of Lactose . However, because of wide use of Lactose in everyday food products, it seems difficult to get around.

For example, Lactose is used as the base for more than 20 percent of prescription drugs and about 6 percent of over-the-counter medicines. Many types of birth control pills, for example, contain lactose , as do some tablets for stomach acid and gas. It is often added to prepared foods, as, bread and other baked goods, processed breakfast cereals, instant potatoes, soups, and breakfast drinks, margarine, lunch meats (other than kosher), salad dressings, candies and other snacks, mixes for pancakes, biscuits, and cookies. Some nondairy products, such as powdered coffee creamer and whipped toppings, may also include ingredients that are derived from milk and therefore contain lactose . Besides, products with words as whey, curds, milk by-products, dry milk solids and non-fat dry milk powder on their label may also mean Lactose included.

The most common tests used to measure the absorption of lactose in the digestive system are the lactose tolerance test, the hydrogen breath test, and the stool acidity test. These tests are performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office. 

The lactose tolerance test begins with the individual fasting (not eating) before the test and then drinking a liquid that contains lactose . Several blood samples are taken over a 2-hour period to measure the person's blood glucose (blood sugar) level, which indicates how well the body is able to digest lactose . 

Normally, when lactose reaches the digestive system, the lactase enzyme breaks down lactase into glucose and galactose . The liver then changes the galactose into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and raises the person's blood glucose level. If lactose is incompletely broken down the blood glucose level does not rise, and a diagnosis of lactose intolerance is confirmed. 
The hydrogen breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in the breath. Normally, very little hydrogen is detectable in the breath. However, undigested lactose in the colon is fermented by bacteria, and various gases, including hydrogen, are produced. The hydrogen is absorbed from the intestines, carried through the bloodstream to the lungs, and exhaled. In the test, the patient drinks a lactose -loaded beverage, and the breath is analyzed at regular intervals. Raised levels of hydrogen in the breath indicate improper digestion of lactose . Certain foods, medications, and cigarettes can affect the test's accuracy and should be avoided before taking the test. This test is available for children and adults. 

The lactose tolerance and hydrogen breath tests are not given to infants and very young children who are suspected of having lactose intolerance. A large lactose load may be dangerous for very young individuals because they are more prone to dehydration that can result from diarrhea caused by the lactose . If a baby or young child is experiencing symptoms of lactose intolerance, many pediatricians simply recommend changing from cow's milk to soy formula and waiting for symptoms to abate. 

If necessary, a stool acidity test, which measures the amount of acid in the stool, may be given to infants and young children. Undigested lactose fermented by bacteria in the colon creates lactic acid and other short-chain fatty acids that can be detected in a stool sample. In addition, glucose may be present in the sample as a result of unabsorbed lactose in the colon.

Milk and other dairy products are a major source of nutrients in the American diet. The most important of these nutrients is calcium. Calcium is essential for the growth and repair of bones throughout life. In the middle and later years, a shortage of calcium may lead to thin, fragile bones that break easily (a condition called osteoporosis). A concern, then, for both children and adults with lactose intolerance, is getting enough calcium in a diet that includes little or no milk.

For those who experience discomfort after consuming lactose -containing products, the following strategies may help achieve daily recommended calcium intakes:

• Drink eight ounces or less of milk at a time and consume it as part of a meal or snack; 
• Try hard cheeses, such as Swiss or cheddar; 
• Eat yogurt; 
• Look for lactose -reduced or lactose -free products in the grocery store.

A positive state of mind will go a long way in dealing with all kinds of diseases and conditions.