Is it possible to become lactose intolerant

Lactose intolerance is usually self-diagnosable, but many of the symptoms of lactose intolerance are the same as irritable bowel syndrome and a milk allergy. So if you suspect you are intolerant, it is important to discuss it with your primary care provider to make sure there are no other medical or nutritional concerns. Some medical tests can help accurately diagnose the condition so that people can treat their symptoms appropriately.

A hydrogen breath test , which is administered by a gastroenterology specialist, measures how much hydrogen is in the breath after consuming dairy products.

It tests for hydrogen because the body turns undigested lactose into hydrogen gas. Blood tests are another type of laboratory test that can help diagnose lactose intolerance. A blood test looks for elevated blood glucose levels after the patient consumes a standard amount of lactose. Secondary lactose intolerance may go away after the intestinal tract heals and begins to function normally again, which could take weeks or months.

Managing this intolerance is usually a matter of making diet changes, but some medications may be helpful. Many doctors agree that the best way to treat an intolerance is to avoid consuming lactose to begin with. Lactose is in dairy products and non-dairy products, so reading food and medication labels is important.

Barry Sears, Ph. Sears recommends lactose-free milk products as a source of high-quality protein. Health food stores will typically carry these types of foods, and regular grocery stores are starting to stock up on things like lactose-free milk as consumer demands go up.

Substitutes have become quite trendy. In the milk aisle, you might find soy, rice, almond, coconut, macadamia, and oat milk alternatives. Fatty fishes, eggs, mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, and nuts are all great sources of calcium and vitamin D. Some medicines help the digestive system process lactose. Over-the-counter drops and tablets that contain the lactase can help with digestion. Normally, when we eat something containing lactose, an enzyme in the small intestine called lactase breaks it down into simpler sugar forms called glucose and galactose.

These simple sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream and turned into energy. In lactose intolerance, the body doesn't make enough lactase to break down lactose. Instead, undigested lactose sits in the gut and gets broken down by bacteria, causing gas, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Lactose intolerance is fairly common. Kids and teens are less likely to have it, but many people eventually become lactose intolerant in adulthood. Some health care providers view lactose intolerance as a normal human condition and not a disease or serious health problem.

Lactose intolerance can cause a variety of symptoms. It all depends on how much dairy or milk-containing foods people consume and how little lactase their body makes. If you might have lactose intolerance, the docto will ask your symptoms and diet. They might test the breath for hydrogen levels before and after you drink lactose. Normally very little hydrogen gas is detectable in the breath. But undigested lactose in the colon breaks down and makes various gases, including hydrogen.

If you have a hydrogen breath test, you'll blow into a tube for a beginning sample. Then you'll swallow a drink with lactose in it, wait a while, and breathe into the tube again. You'll blow into the tube every half hour for 2 hours to measure hydrogen levels. The levels should go up over time if you have lactose intolerance.

Doctors also can find out if someone can digest lactose by testing for the presence of lactase with an endoscopy. During this procedure, doctors view the inside of the intestines by inserting a long tube with a light and a tiny camera on the end into the mouth. A doctor can then take tissue samples and pictures of the inside of the gut. The amount of lactase enzyme can be measured in one of these tissue samples. People can manage lactose intolerance by not drinking as much milk and eating fewer dairy products.

Depending on the underlying reason why the body's not producing 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. Lactose intolerance can develop at any age. Many cases first develop in people aged 20 to 40, although babies and young children can also be affected.

Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk or dairy allergy. Food allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a certain type of food. This causes symptoms such as a rash, wheezing and itching. If you're allergic to something, even a tiny particle can be enough to trigger a reaction, while most people with lactose intolerance can still consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing any problems, although this varies from person to person.

There's no cure for lactose intolerance, but cutting down on food and drink containing lactose usually helps to control the symptoms. Your GP may also recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements. You may be advised to take lactase substitutes, which are drops or tablets you can take with your meals or drinks to improve your digestion of lactose. Milk and other dairy products contain calcium, protein and vitamins, such as A, B12 and D.

Lactose also helps your body absorb a number of other minerals, such as magnesium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are important for the development of strong, healthy bones.