Lactose intolerance
Overview
Lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms, such as tummy pain, after eating food containing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. The symptoms can be prevented by eating smaller portions of foods that contain lactose or avoiding them completely.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can start a few minutes, or a few hours, after having food or drink containing lactose. Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include: tummy pain or discomfortbloatingfartingtummy rumblingdiarrhoea or constipationfeeling sick or being sick You may also have some other symptoms that are not related to your digestive system, such as headaches, tiredness and joint or muscle pain.
Causes
The most common cause of lactose intolerance is when the body does not make enough of an enzyme called lactase, which helps you digest lactose. Lactose intolerance can start at any age and can also be caused by: conditions such asinflammatory bowel diseaseandCoeliac diseasebowel infectionsbowel surgeryan injury to the bowel Some premature babies are unable to digest lactose because their bowel has not developed enough, but this usually gets better as your baby gets older. Some people do not make any lactase at all, but this is very rare.
Treatment
For most people with lactose intolerance, the symptoms can be prevented by reducing the amount of food you eat that contains lactose, or by avoiding these foods completely. If you think your child is lactose intolerant, see your GP before removing dairy products from their diet. Taking a lactase supplement before having food or drink containing lactose may reduce or prevent symptoms for some people. In some people, lactose intolerance is caused by another health condition, such as coeliac disease. Treating the underlying cause should help.
Prevention
Check food labels. Ensure calcium intake from other sources (leafy greens/fortified foods).
When to see a doctor
See GP if: symptoms suggest intolerance (keep food diary). Rule out Coeliac/IBS.