Lactose intolerance is a condition that affects your ability to digest the sugar (lactose) in dairy products, such as milk, cheese, or ice cream. When you have this condition, your small intestine doesn’t produce enough of the enzyme lactase that breaks down the lactose in dairy products.
Typically, about 30 minutes to two hours after consuming food or drinks with dairy, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Nausea
- Stomachache and cramps
Your symptoms can be severe or mild, depending on how much lactose you have had and how much lactase your body makes.
You are more likely to become lactose intolerant if you are Asian-American, African-American, Mexican-American, or Native-American. Both children and adults can be lactose intolerant.
Tests
Physical Exam
We can accurately diagnose your lactose intolerance through a medical examination and review of your past health history.
Elimination Diet
Your GI doctor may ask you to avoid dairy-containing products for a period of time to see if your symptoms improve.
Lactose Tolerance Test
This test checks how your digestive system absorbs lactose.
Hydrogen Breath Test
This test checks for high levels of hydrogen in your breath that can be present, if your body doesn’t properly digest dairy products.
Stool Acidity Test
Used for infants and young children, this test checks to see how much acid is in the stool.
Treatments
Medications
Your GI doctor may prescribe a medication that can reduce the severity of your lactose intolerance symptoms.
Diet Modification
You may need to make changes to your diet, such as avoiding eating large servings of dairy products, including small servings of dairy products in your regular meals, and consuming lactose-free dairy products.
Why Choose UHealth?
A motility lab for accurate diagnosis of GI conditions. The only facility of its kind in South Florida, our motility lab enables our GI specialists to provide accurate diagnoses of GI conditions more quickly and efficiently. We offer a variety of leading-edge services, such as hydrogen breath testing, anal-rectal manometry, and bio-feedback.
A broad array of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Regardless of your age, condition, or whether you need long- or short-term digestive treatments, you will receive the most accurate diagnosis and most effective treatment to keep your stomach, digestive system, and organs healthy.
Questions? We're here to help.
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