By Tia Mackinnon

An inability to digest lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy products.

Is a gastro intestinal that is upset due to the inability to digest lactose.

If the enzyme is absent then the unabsorbed lactose ferments in the large intestine.

The lactase breaks down the sugar that can be more easily absorbed.

When its not fully broken down that is when you start to get the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Cause

The production of intestinal lactose declines steadily from early child hood.

Treatment

Reduce or eliminate food with lactose .

Try small amounts of dairy.

Causes

Caused by illness, side affects of medication.

Environmental changes .

Is usually temporary

Treatment

Adults can abstain from dairy products

Can be given soy formulas

Causes

Is present at birth

Caused by a faulty gene for lactase production

Abdominal cramps Bloating Frothy diarrhea Vomiting Flatulence Rumbling sounds Loose stools It all depends on the

person

It is not contagious

The only way you can get it from a another person is if your mom or dad has it and it got passed down through the family.

The doctor can sometimes tell by your symptoms.

Or tell you to keep off the dairy for a bit.

Have a specialized test.

Compare your heath history with the symptoms.

A breath test

Removing dietary lactose

When you remove dairy products from your body you lose the calcium that is needed

The only way that you will have a good outcome is if you get rid of dairy products and or have a special pill called an enzyme

It can be passed down by family

Having certain illnesses or conditions that can damage the intestinal tract.

Such as

Gastroenteritis (or infection in the intestine tract)

Celiac disease

Cystic fibrosis

Cohn's disease

Chemotherapy

Try slowly increasing the amount of lactose you eat

Soy protein formulas are effective milk substitutes

-Dark green leafy vegetables -Beans

-Canned fish -Apricots

-Tofu -Sesame seeds

Are all good to get calcium if you give up dairy