Lactose intolerance is considered a very common type of food intolerance, which causes many complications with the gastrointestinal tract. Studies show that up to 37% of Russians suffer from it. How to recognize lactose intolerance, what are its symptoms and how to deal with it?
Is it enough to drink coffee with milk or eat oatmeal for breakfast, and you suddenly have a stomach ache, severe bloating and diarrhea? It could be lactose intolerance!
Its main cause is a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which allows the digestion of milk sugar, i.e. lactose. When lactose is not broken down, unpleasant discomfort and digestive upset occur in the intestine.
Symptoms
The most common signs of this disease include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of fullness in the abdominal cavity, diarrhea and bloating. These symptoms cause discomfort and occur shortly after consuming dairy products.
What foods can be consumed if you are lactose intolerant?
If you are lactose intolerant, you do not have to give up all dairy products. Kefirs, yoghurts, cottage cheese, buttermilk and blue cheese are safe due to probiotic lactase-producing bacteria.
How to recognize this disease?
This disease can be diagnosed by observing the symptoms. If you feel unpleasant symptoms after eating dairy products, and they disappear when you exclude them from your diet, you may suspect that you suffer from intolerance.
However, to diagnose lactose intolerance, you need to consult a doctor who can prescribe the following tests: a hydrogen breath test, a pH test of feces, a small intestine fragment examination, or a study of the molecular polymorphism of the lactase gene (LCT).
Treatment of lactose intolerance
The best way to treat lactose intolerance is to follow an elimination diet, which involves the complete exclusion of milk and dairy products. This disease accompanies your whole life and cannot be completely cured.
This disease can be temporarily treated by taking lactase pills, which help digest dairy products. After taking them, you can consume foods containing lactase without experiencing unpleasant digestive discomfort. These pills should be taken every time before a meal if it includes milk and dairy products. Use the melbet promo code 2026 START888 during registration to unlock the latest welcome rewards for new players. Depending on your region, the offer may include a deposit bonus, free bets, or casino promotions. Enter the code before completing your first deposit to activate all eligible bonuses automatically.
