Lactose Intolerance
A doctor obtained a case description:
2 month old male, "fussy", diarrhoea and vomiting; flatulence. Breast-fed. Viral gastroenteritis 10 days previously; watery diarrhoea and flatulence began then and continued to present. Before the infection, mother's milk was well tolerated, without noticeable diarrhoea or flatulence. Body weight within normal limits. Moderately dehydrated. Urine shows presence of reducing sugars. No reaction for glucose.
He first assumed that it might be due to Lactose Intolerance. What is it?
2 month old male, "fussy", diarrhoea and vomiting; flatulence. Breast-fed. Viral gastroenteritis 10 days previously; watery diarrhoea and flatulence began then and continued to present. Before the infection, mother's milk was well tolerated, without noticeable diarrhoea or flatulence. Body weight within normal limits. Moderately dehydrated. Urine shows presence of reducing sugars. No reaction for glucose.
He first assumed that it might be due to Lactose Intolerance. What is it?
Introduction
Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, the main sugar in milk, that gives rise to gastrointestinal symptoms. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the intestinal enzyme lactase that splits lactose into two smaller sugars, glucose and galactose, and allows lactose to be absorbed from the intestine. The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase to break down lactose into two sugars called glucose and galactose, which can then be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
People with lactose intolerance don't produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system where it is fermented by bacteria, leading to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Depending on the underlying reason why the body does not produce enough lactase, lactose intolerance may be temporary or permanent. Most cases that develop in adults are inherited and tend to be lifelong, but cases in young children are often caused by an infection in the digestive system and may only last for a few weeks. |
SymptomsSymptoms of lactose intolerance can be mild to severe, depending on how much lactase your body makes. Symptoms usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat or drink milk products. If you have lactose intolerance, your symptoms may include:
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TreatmentThere is no cure for lactose intolerance, but limiting your intake of food and drink containing lactose will usually help control the symptoms. Depending on what dairy products you are able to eat, you may also require additional calcium and vitamin D supplements to keep your bones strong and healthy. In some cases, your GP may refer you to a dietitian for further advice.
In addition to dietary changes, lactase substitutes may also be helpful. These are drops or tablets you can take with your meals or drinks to improve your digestion of lactose. |