If you feel ill with fever, flu-like symptoms or respiratory illness, please call us to reschedule your appointment. Please Do Not Bring Children Under age 16 to Appointments.
If you feel ill with fever, flu-like symptoms or respiratory illness, please call us to reschedule your appointment. Please Do Not Bring Children Under age 16 to Appointments.
Gastroenterology Condition
The term lactose intolerance simply means the inability to digest lactose. Lactose is a sugar most often found in dairy products. Patients who are lactose intolerant have trouble digesting lactose because they have insufficient amounts lactase in their bodies. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose so the body can use it.
Anyone lacking sufficient lactase in their body can develop symptoms after ingesting dairy products.
While lactose intolerance is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, anyone lacking sufficient lactase in their body can develop symptoms after ingesting dairy products. There are three different levels of lactose intolerance.
Primary
Adult who may have tolerated dairy well during their youth, but for whom lactase production diminishes significantly upon reaching adulthood.
Secondary
Your small intestine is affected by a surgery, illness or injury and reduces lactase production. This may be due to Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or infection. Treatment may help lactase production return to normal over time, depending on the original cause.
Congenital/Developmental
Babies can be born with a lactase deficiency based on inherited genes from both parents or premature birth. Children born of African, Asian, Hispanic and Native American descent are more prone, but it is still a rare issue for young children. Most people develop lactose intolerance in adulthood.
Lactose intolerant patients may experience symptoms after consuming milk or other dairy products. Symptom severity and duration varies and is dependent upon the amount of lactose ingested as well as the amount of lactose the individual’s body can handle.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance may include:
A few common foods that should be limited or avoided by those suffering from lactose intolerance include:
The diagnosis of lactose intolerance can be made based on symptom reporting and the response to elimination of dairy products from the diet. However, testing is available to make a complete diagnosis. The following are tests that a physician can administer to determine whether or not a patient is lactose intolerant:
We do not perform all this testing at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology. At the time of your appointment, we will discuss your symptoms and help you decide the best approach. We have offices in Salt Lake and Utah Counties.
If you are diagnosed with lactose intolerance, your gastroenterologist will make dietary recommendations for you. It is important to consult with a professional to ensure that you get enough calcium and other minerals from your diet when you eliminate lactose. Lactose intolerant patients may also be deficient in other digestive enzymes – therefore checking for these deficiencies (disaccharidase deficiencies) may be worthwhile if eliminating lactose doesn’t completely resolve your symptoms.
For those who are significantly affected by even small amounts of lactose, over the counter medications are available. Lactaid is a common one. This medication is taken with or prior to eating lactose-containing food to ease and eliminate symptoms. Additionally, affordable lactose-free options are available in milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
Granite Peaks Gastroenterology serves the communities along the Wasatch Front. Our Board Certified Doctors and Certified PA GI Specialists include:
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