Lactose Intolerance Symptoms – Kicking The Discomfort
Lactose intolerance symptoms can show up anyone at any age. Babies can exhibit lactose intolerance and need to be given special formula made from soy or goat’s milk. Adults who are intolerant to products containing lactose experience uncomfortable symptoms. Intolerance to milk and dairy products is not life-threatening. It can be a huge inconvenience when one has to do without milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products in their diet. There is no cure for those who have lactose intolerance but there are ways to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Those who suffer from lactose intolerance symptoms have a had time breaking down the lactose enzymes. The body’s enzyme level gets too high. Each persons tolerance level is different. This level also determines how severe the symptoms will be. Symptoms usually show themselves within thirty minutes after eating a food containing lactose. It could take up to a few hours for anything to appear. Most adults do not cut out the dairy completely but lower the amount they consume. There is also medications that help to reduce or eliminate symptoms and are taken before you eat. For children, it is best to take lactose products out of their diet altogether. Simply removing one food at a time, can go a long way. There is also lactose free or reduced lactose options that may help. Soy milk or almond milk are great ways to make sure children still get the benefits of the milk without the discomfort.
The most common lactose intolerance symptoms in adults and children include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, stomach bloating, and gas. For those who experience more sever symptoms, it is wise to have tests to determine if you have a milk allergy and not an intolerance. Symptoms of milk allergy include wheezing, swelling, eczema, and vomiting. A simple lactose breath test will be done to determine the amount of lactose in the body after a lactose solution is ingested. The higher the results the more likely it is that lactose intolerance is the problem. The doctor can educate you and help you make decisions on what is the best way to deal with it.
Many over the counter medications work to reduce lactose problems in adults. These medications are usually taken right before you indulge in your favorite ice cream or lactose containing product. Most come in an easy to swallow pill. It may be necessary to take a second pill if you find yourself starting to feel the familiar twinge in your stomach. Many sufferers have found relief in these products and have resumed normal diets again. Or at least enjoy your favorite ice cream now and then. Anyone who is suffering from lactose intolerance symptoms should give it a try.
Related articles
- Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance (food-allergydata.com)
- Dairy intolerance (food-allergydata.com)
