If you are looking forward to hot days and cold ice cream this summer, chances are you don’t suffer from lactose intolerance. However, a surprising number of Americans do have this condition to some degree, with estimates putting the number between 30 and 50 million people. Lactose intolerance is an inability to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This is due to a lack of the enzyme lactase in the digestive system. However, there is no set level of lactase that designates someone as lactose intolerant or not. In fact, people with the condition can tolerate wildly different amounts of dairy and may have much different symptoms. Knowing where you fall along the continuum is the key to getting the most out of dairy all year round.
Test for Lactose Intolerance
There are diagnostic test that you can get from your gastroenterologist to identify the condition. These lactose intolerance tests measure for signs of undigested lactose in your system. However, they aren’t generally used on children and the condition can onset at a young age. Knowing whether your child can handle dairy is important when deciding what cold treats they can have on summer days. Fortunately, you can identify the condition yourself by monitoring your child’s diet.
If your child experiences indigestion when eating dairy, keep a food diary to rule out other potential causes. If the evidence points to lactose intolerance, you can assess the extent of the condition by giving them small amounts of dairy and seeing if symptoms develop. Some people can handle one or two glasses of milk. Others are able to tolerate ice cream and hard cheeses, but not other forms of dairy. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to know.
Seek Lactose Intolerance Treatments
If you or your child is lactose intolerant, there are over-the-counter lactase compounds available to treat the symptoms and conditions of lactose intolerance. Just eat the compounds with the first bite of dairy, and the enzyme will break down the lactose in your digestive tract. Non-dairy substitutes – like those made from almonds or soy – are also a good option for getting much-needed calcium.
If you need help diagnosing lactose intolerance or are unsure of what over-the-counter products might be suitable for you, a visit to a gastroenterologist Los Angeles can help clear up any lingering questions. Dr. Tabib is very knowledgeable about the symptoms and conditions surrounding lactose intolerance and can help you find the answers you need.
