Many people can enjoy a bowl of ice cream on a hot day or a large glass of ice-cold milk with a cookie — unless they have lactose intolerance. People with the condition often experience gas, bloating, or diarrhea after ingesting dairy products.
Living with lactose intolerance is challenging, especially if you or someone you love is the only one with the condition. It makes preparing meals and going out to dinner difficult and uncomfortable for the person who has it.
At Gateway Gastroenterology, our team understands the challenges of lactose intolerance. Our practice has expert gastroenterologists who can diagnose lactose intolerance and find ways to make life a little easier and more comfortable so you can enjoy the foods and drinks you love.
Lactose intolerance is a problem in which people lack the enzyme needed to break down milk sugar (lactose). It's not the same as a food allergy, which causes an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
People living with lactose intolerance often deal with uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms, which can occur for a day or so after ingesting lactose. A few of the prevalent symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
The symptoms of lactose intolerance vary from person to person and may change depending on what you ingest. For instance, your symptoms may worsen if you drink a glass of milk but could be tolerable after eating yogurt or cheese.
Just about all dairy products contain lactose, so it's essential to know what you're eating before you ingest them to avoid uncomfortable symptoms.
Whether it’s you or a loved one who is experiencing uncomfortable GI symptoms after ingesting dairy products, it's essential to know if the issue is lactose intolerance or something else. Our team provides lactose intolerance testing so you can have a definitive answer.
Hydrogen breath testing is one of the ways we diagnose lactose intolerance. For the test, you drink a liquid containing lactose. Afterward, we measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath to determine if you have lactose intolerance.
The higher the level of hydrogen in your breath, the less your colon is digesting and breaking down lactose, meaning you have lactose intolerance. If that test is inconclusive, we suggest blood sugar testing for a more conclusive answer.
If you have a loved one with lactose intolerance, it's essential to be supportive and learn how to accommodate their needs. Today, many substitutions for dairy products are available.
Lactose intolerance is different for many people – meaning some can tolerate a little dairy while others can't tolerate any. It's essential to find out your loved one's needs so you can get them the correct foods and drinks.
Help them determine what types of alternative foods and drinks they can try while limiting dairy products. There are many options at the grocery store, including almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk to drink. Lactose-free yogurt and ice cream are other options you can suggest.
Sometimes, you want a tall glass of cold, regular milk or a big slice of cheese – but how can you or your loved one do so without feeling gassy or bloated? Here are some ways to help you or your loved one enjoy foods containing lactose without suffering:
Probiotics are live bacteria that are essential for gut health. You can take probiotic supplements to maintain a healthy gut and help you avoid symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Although they can't cure lactose intolerance, probiotics can help tame your symptoms.
Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose, which is where lactase supplements come in. You or your loved one can take a lactase supplement before ingesting milk or lactose to reduce uncomfortable symptoms.
You can help your loved one deal with lactose intolerance by checking labels to know precisely what contains lactose so they don't unknowingly ingest it.
Being lactose intolerant doesn't mean you can't enjoy some dairy products. Experimenting with different amounts and types of dairy products can help you or your loved one determine the threshold for symptoms.
To learn more about lactose intolerance or schedule hydrogen breath testing, call Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists. You may also request a consultation on our website. We have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, and Ballwin, Missouri.