DiagnosisHealth & Other Health >>Lactose Intolerance Dr. Minocha's health Blog
Dr. Minocha is a practicing gastroenterologist and author of "Natural Stomach Care: Treating and Preventing Digestive Disorders with Best of Eastern and Western Therapies".
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Lactose intolerance (LI) is a common disorder that
affects a quarter of the US population and may affect as many as 75% of the world
population. The prevalence varies by race and ethnicity. It is more common among
African-Americans, Hispanics and oriental population. In India, for example, it is seen in
25% of north Indian and 70% of south Indian population.
Most common for is the adult-type or primary deficiency where there is usually deficiency
of Lactase enzyme activity and not complete absence. Congenital lactase deficiency is
rare.
Milk intolerance suggests onset of symptoms after drinking milk and not necessarily
lactose intolerance.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance include bloating, stomach pains, diarrhea and gassiness.
Symptoms may occur in some patients even when their lactase enzyme
activity is within normal limits. This may occur in 5% of adults. Thus, some people
erroneously think that their symptoms are due to lactase deficiency when that is not true.
Lactose restricted diet may improve symptoms not only in lactase deficient patients but
also in irritable bowel syndrome in adults and recurrent abdominal pain in kids.
Diagnosis of LI may be made by lactose tolerance test (blood), or breath
hydrogen breath test. Assessment of lactase activity in the biopsy of the small intestine
is the most direct and definitive test, but is cumbersome and used for research only.
LI is usually not absolute. Most patients can tolerate 240 ml of
milk per day without problems.
Yogurt containing lactose is well tolerated by the patients. This occurs because the
yogurt contains live cultures of bacteria and the lactase produced by these bacteria
digests the yogurt lactose.
Please be aware that lactose is frequently a part of many prescription and
over-the-counter drugs, and may impact susceptible individuals.
People on lactose restricted diet should take supplemental calcium.
Over the counter treatment of LI is a multibillion dollar industry.
Lactase enzyme is available as capsules, tablets and solutions for lactase deficient
patients. The amount of lactase needed to digest a specific amount of lactose depends on
the product used. Thus, all products are not created equal.
This is meant to be an
informational exercise and NOT a medical consultation
Your doctor is the only one who can best assess your situation and offer you medical
advice
Above is based on Dr. Minocha’s article
that appeared in September 1998 issue of Postgraduate Medicine.
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