5 Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance to Look Out For
Lactose that some people can’t digest causes a variety of symptoms of indigestion. This condition is known as lactose intolerance. Then, What are the common symptoms of lactose intolerance?
List of symptoms of lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance occurs when some people don’t produce enough of the enzyme lactase to digest lactose. Lactose is a type of sugar that is specifically found in dairy products, such as milk, butter (butter), cheese and ice cream.
When you don’t have enough lactase, your stomach can’t process the lactose into energy, causing symptoms. Symptoms of lactose intolerance can appear when you can’t digest all of the lactose you eat.
So, what symptoms might people with lactose intolerance experience?
1. Diarrhea
The appearance of diarrheal disease is one of the typical symptoms of lactose intolerance. Diarrhea due to lactose intolerance is more common in infants and children than in adults.
According to the explanation from the journal Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, lactose should be fermented in the large intestine and converted into short chain fatty acids.
Most of these fatty acids will be reabsorbed by the body, while the rest can increase the volume of water that is flowed into the large intestine. Sthe more fluid in the colon, the more water is carried along with the stool.
Generally, diarrhea occurs when the large intestine immediately accommodates 45 grams of carbohydrates. This carbohydrate dose is equivalent to drinking 3-4 cups of milk on an empty stomach.
2. Stomach pain
A churning and churning stomach after consuming dairy products is a symptom of lactose intolerance. This symptom can appear in infants, children, and adults who have lactose intolerance.
According to the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the pain will arise when the stomach organs cannot break down lactose to be distributed to the large intestine. The pain is usually located around the navel and lower part of the stomach.
This lactose fermentation causes the release of short chain fatty acids as well as gases such as hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Well, this increase in acid and gas in the stomach can trigger the sensation of pain and cramps.
3. Bloating
Still according to the journal Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, lactose carbohydrates cannot be absorbed by the cells lining the large intestine. However, lactose can be fermented and broken down by natural bacteria that live in these organs.
The bacteria that digest lactose will produce gas and the intestines will draw excess water from the body. As a result, the intestines that are flooded with lots of water and fill with gas can stimulate the sensation of flatulence or gas.
The symptoms of bloating that occur are not influenced by how much dairy you eat. However, the symptoms of lactose intolerance depend on the sensitivity of each person, so the intensity of the pain can be felt differently from person to person.
Bloating is generally accompanied by a roar in the stomach (borborygmi). This occurs when lactose, which the bacteria in the intestines cannot digest, produces excess gas. The gas that fills this channel will make a sound like a growling stomach (even if you are not hungry).
4. Fart or burp
Lactose that isn’t digested properly can also cause you to fart a lot or belch a lot. The gas produced by the intestines when digesting lactose is known as endogenous gas, which consists of hydrogen and methane.
However, the gas that builds up in the stomach has to escape so it doesn’t keep you bloated. Normally, the gas will be expelled rectally as a fart or from the mouth as a burp.
In some people who are lactose intolerant, gas also often contains hydrogen sulfide compounds, especially when you drink milk while eating other foods such as onions or eggs.
5. Nausea and vomiting
In some cases, symptoms of lactose intolerance can also cause nausea and even vomiting. This condition can occur between 30 minutes to two hours after consuming dairy products.
This reaction of nausea and vomiting arises from the digestive system unable to fully digest lactose. Excess lactose in the stomach is read by the brain as a harmful foreign substance, so it needs to be expelled quickly.
In order to release lactose and relieve other symptoms of intolerance, the brain stimulates the nerves in the stomach causing the sensation of nausea and vomiting. This reaction can appear immediately after consuming milk.
6. Constipation
Constipation (constipation) is a less common symptom of lactose intolerance. This is believed to occur because the bacteria in the large intestine cannot completely digest lactose, thus producing methane gas.
The methane gas that fills the stomach can slow down the time it takes for food to move through the intestines. Finally, this condition can cause some people to feel symptoms of constipation.
When to see a doctor
You are obliged to see a doctor if symptoms of lactose intolerance do not improve within 3 – 7 days. If you experience nausea and vomiting after drinking milk, you should immediately see a doctor.
Your doctor can usually tell if you have lactose intolerance by asking questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may also ask you to avoid dairy for a short time to see if your symptoms improve.
Sometimes your doctor will recommend that you do a hydrogen breath test or a blood sugar test for a more pronounced diagnosis of symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary from person to person. People who have lactose intolerance can consume dairy products without experiencing any symptoms.
Meanwhile, there are also those who immediately experience it in a severe degree even though they eat a little.
It all depends on the amount of lactose the body can process or how many servings of milk are consumed. We recommend visiting doctor for testing, treatment, and further treatment of lactose intolerance.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Hammer HF, Hammer J. Diarrhea caused by carbohydrate malabsorption. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2012; 41 (3): 611-627. doi: 10.1016 / j.gtc.2012.06.003.
Lactose intolerance – Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. (2021). Retrieved 17 March 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232.
Lactose Intolerance – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Niddk.nih.gov. (2021). Retrieved 17 March 2021, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance?dkrd=hispt0264.
Lactose intolerance – NHS. Nhs.uk. (2021). Retrieved 17 March 2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lactose-intolerance/.
Lomer, M., Parkes, G., Sanderson, J. (2007). Review article: lactose intolerance in clinical practice – myths and realities. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 27 (2), pp. 93-103.
