Understanding Lactose Intolerance
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The document discusses lactose intolerance, which is the body's inability to digest lactose sugars found in milk due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and gas. It is not a milk allergy but a common digestive condition. To cope, one can consume yogurt, dairy in small amounts with other foods, lactose-free dairy, or high calcium alternatives. Over-the-counter lactase enzymes or seeing a doctor may also help manage the condition.
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Understanding Lactose Intolerance
- 2. WHY DO WE DEVELOP LACTOSE INTOLERANCE? LACTOSE INTOLERANCE IS THE BODY’S INABILITY TO DIGEST SUGARS FOUND IN MILK.
- 3. INTOLERANCE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM A MILK ALLERGY, WHICH IS AN IMMUNE RESPONSE TO MILK PROTEINS.
- 4. IT IS A COMMON DIGESTIVE CONDITION THAT IS USUALLY NOT SERIOUS.
- 5. TO COPE WITH THE CONDITION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT.
- 6. DAIRY AND IT’S PRODUCTS CONTAIN SUGARS CALLED LACTOSE. AN ENZYME CALLED LACTASE IS NEEDED TO BREAK IT UP INTO GLUCOSE AND GALACTOSE.
- 7. WHEN LACTASE IS IN SHORT SUPPLY, WE GET THE SYMPTOMS OF INTOLERANCE – BLOATING, DIARRHOEA, ABDOMINAL CRAMPS AND GAS, AND IN SOME CASES NAUSEA AND VOMITING.
- 8. HOW DOES ONE COPE WITH LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
- 9. YOGHURT IS KNOWN TO BREAK DOWN LACTOSE, SO IT CAN BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO MILK. TIP #1
- 10. CONSUME DAIRY IN SMALL QUANTITIES WITH OTHER FOOD GROUPS TO EASE ABSORPTION THROUGH THE INTESTINES. TIP #2
- 11. CONSUME LACTOSE- FREE DAIRY PRODUCTS. TIP #3
- 12. EAT HIGH CALCIUM FOODS LIKE BROCCOLI, CANNED SALMON, SOY MILK, ETC. TIP #4
- 13. THERE ARE OTC DRUGS LIKE LACTASE ENZYMES THAT COULD HELP YOU DIGEST DAIRY PRODUCTS. (SPEAK TO YOUR GP BEFORE YOU TRY THEM) TIP #5
- 14. LACTOSE INTOLERANCE CAN DEVELOP AT ANY AGE.
- 15. IT IS BEST TO GET TESTED RATHER THAN SELF-DIAGNOSE.
- 16. IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR GP.
- 17. CALL 13 26 60 FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 000 DoctorDoctor provides bulk billed, in-home after hours medical care for an unexpected illness and connects patients who do not have a regular GP to a daytime General Practice for their ongoing continuity of care.