| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Lactose
Intolerance |
|
Medical Term:
|
None
Specified |
| Description: |
Diarrhea and abdominal distention
caused by inability to digest carbohydrates because of a lack of
one or more intestinal enzymes. The commonest variant is a lack of
lactase, which is required to digest lactose in cow's milk. If
lactose is not digested, it remains in the intestine, and causes
diarrhea and abdominal distension.
|
| Causes: |
Deficiency or absence of the enzyme lactase which
is necessary to digest all milk except mother's milk.
Although some infants are born with the disorder, lactose
intolerance usually develops later on in life. Lactase
deficiency occurs normally to some degree in about 75 % of North
American adults.
|
| Prevention: |
Lactase deficiency cannot be
prevented. The symptoms can be readily prevented.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
 |
In children, it causes
diarrhea, occasional vomiting, delayed weight gain, growth
and development. |
|
|
In adults:
|
|
Abdominal cramps
and diarrhea.
|
|
Gas and bloating.
|
|
Nausea.
|
|
Inability to
tolerate milk and milk products.
|
|
|
Intolerance to dairy foods. |
|
| Risk Factors |
|
Family history of lactase enzyme deficiency. |
|
Temporary lactase deficiency may be caused
by acute diarrheal states. |
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
The diagnosis may be suspected when chronic or
intermittent diarrhea is acidic (pH < 6). Other
tests to confirm the diagnosis include lactose breath hydrogen test, lactose absorption
test and rarely, small bowel biopsy.
|
| General
Measures: |
|
A lactose free diet is the
mainstay of treatment. |
|
Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be
given. |
|
Over the counter supplements are
available. These neutralize lactose in milk (e.g.
lactaid). Special lactose free dairy products are available. |
|
| Medications: |
|
No medications are necessary. |
|
| Activity: |
|
No activity restriction. |
|
| Diet: |
|
If the condition is present at birth, an infant
formula that contains little or no lactose, such as a
soybean-based formula or lactose-free milk formula. |
|
If lactose intolerance is temporary and is caused
by a severe bout of gastroenteritis, substitute formula
(lactose-free or soybean formula) may be used. This usually
resolves in 3-4 weeks and cows milk may be introduced again. |
|
Older persons with lactose intolerance should
restrict dairy products. Milk treated with special enzyme
called lactase may be better tolerated. |
|
Yogurt and hard cheese are better tolerated than
milk. |
|
Read labels on food products. Milk-sugar is used
in many prepared foods and may cause symptoms. |
|
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Calcium deficiency (rare). |
|
| Prognosis |
| Symptoms are
readily controlled. There is no effect on life span. There
is no cure as such. |
|
| Other |
|
|