Lactose intolerance is a problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. It can cause mild or severe symptoms, depending on the level of intolerance.
It can develop at any age, and affects up to 65% of people in their lives. It can cause a wide range of stomach issues and gastric symptoms.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Here are the main symptoms and what you can do about them.
Read more: Why am I so bloated? The seven main causes and what to do.
Main symptoms of lactose intolerance
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can develop immediately after consuming food or drink that contains lactose, or may take a few hours to appear. They may include:
- passing wind
- diarrhoea
- a bloated stomach
- stomach cramps and pains
- stomach rumbling
- feeling sick
The severity of your symptoms and when they appear depends on the amount of lactose you have consumed and your body's specific reaction. Some people are able to drink a small glass of milk without triggering any symptoms, while others may not even be able to have milk in their tea or coffee.
What causes lactose intolerance?
The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase. People with lactose intolerance do not produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system, where it's fermented by bacteria.
This leads to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Most cases that develop in adults tend to be lifelong, but cases in young children are often caused by an infection in the digestive system and may only last for a few weeks.
Lactose intolerance can develop at any age. Many cases first develop in people aged 20 to 40, although babies and young children can also be affected.
When to see a GP
The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be similar to several other conditions, so it's important to see your GP before removing milk and dairy products from your diet. For example, the same symptoms can also be caused by:
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- milk protein intolerance
If your GP thinks you have lactose intolerance, they may suggest avoiding foods and drinks containing lactose for two weeks to see if your symptoms improve. There is no clinical test for lactose intolerance.
What you can do
There's no cure for lactose intolerance, but eliminating lactose from your diet will prevent the symptoms. Lactose-free products include:
- lactose-free cows' milk
- soya milks, yoghurts and some cheeses
- rice, oat, almond, hazelnut, coconut, quinoa and potato milks
- vegan products
You can also buy lactase enzyme products, which are tablets you can take with your meals or drinks to improve your digestion of lactose. These can sometimes eliminate all symptoms of lactose intolerance, even when consuming lots of dairy products.
