Lactose Intolerance Symptoms

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Like me, you may find yourself find themselves having various lactose intolerance symptoms after drinking milk. These symptoms include diarrhea, bloating and stomach pain.

Not knowing any better, I have often use the term milk allergy to mean lactose intolerance. I have since found that this is a common mistake and that it is important to make the distinction between the two. A milk allergy can cause far more severe reactions but not a case of lactose intolerance. When consulting with your doctor, you should use the correct term to describe your condition to minimise confusion.

Lactose is a sugar found naturally in milk. It is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose for absorption into the bloodstream. What happens if you lack this enzyme? Lactose cannot be absorbed properly from the gut, causing you symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea.

Experiencing lactose intolerance symptoms is more common in Asian communities where milk is not part of a typical adult diet. It has been found that up to 75% of the black African community and more than 90% of the Asian community are intolerant to lactose. Being a Chinese, I have found this to be largely true; at least where my parents are concerned - most of us do not drink milk (except for soya milk) on a regular basis out of habit and also, intolerance.

Other causes of lactose intolerance include digestive diseases, or injuries to the small intestine. A lactose intolerance can also be inherited but hereditary reasons are said to be rare.

If you suffer from lactose intolerance symptoms, you may be wondering if drinking cow’s milk or goat’s milk make a difference. Some people have found goat’s milk to be tolerable than cow’s milk. However, for those with a true milk allergy or lactose intolerance and an extremely sensitive gut, goat’s milk is not a suitable alternative to cow’s milk either.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance can be reduced by avoiding having lactose in your diet. However, small amounts can be taken if you are an adult, without any adverse reactions.

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Milk Allergy Or Milk Intolerance?

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It is important to distinguish whether you are having a milk allergy or just a case of milk intolerance. Knowing how you would react to milk can mean taking appropriate actions.

Some of the most common symptoms of a milk allergy include swelling, hives, coughing, wheezing, shock, and even death if treatment is not initiated quickly. The reaction to the proteins in the milk, casein and whey, normally occurs within 45 minutes of exposure to the proteins in breastmilk, formula, or regular milk. Milk allergy symptoms are considered more severe than if you just have a milk intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is the most common reaction that infants, children, and adults have to milk. The symptoms of lactose intolerance normally occur 45 minutes to almost a day after consuming it. Gas and diarrhea are the two most common symptoms of lactose intolerance. Although this is not dangerous by itself, t can be a nuisance to your life.

If you have a milk allergy, then obviously you need to avoid the milk in all forms. You can consider taking soy milk or formula for alternatives.

If you merely have a lactose intolerance, you still have to avoid milk if you do not want to suffer from gas and diarrhoea. You can still consume small amounts of milk containing foods but you should limit their intake.

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