Lactose Intolerance: Everything You Need to Know!
Perhaps you’ve given some cheese nuggets to the little one and now it’s all about they're spitting up. That’s a sign of a lactose intolerance issue. So what basically is Lactose intolerance?- "Lactose intolerance is when your intestine lacks lactase." You cannot adequately break down lactose if you lack lactase. Want to know more about this? Explore ahead!
Let’s Understand the Basics-
A sugar called lactose is present in dairy products like milk and cheese. Our small intestine has an enzyme called lactase that aids in digestion. Our bodies require glucose, which is produced by the enzyme lactase, to produce energy. However, this digestion process doesn't take place effectively in kids and people with lactose intolerance, which can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
How is Lactose Issue Triggered?-
When the small intestine produces insufficient amounts of digestive juice or enzyme lactase, lactose intolerance results. The body cannot digest or break down lactose if there is not enough lactase present.
Having a lactose intolerance can occur in both adults and children. Typical causes include:
- intestinal infections or illnesses
- A small intestinal injury
Lactose intolerance runs in the family. In certain circumstances, the body may produce less lactase over time. The onset of symptoms might happen in adolescence or adulthood. Premature birth refers to an untimely birth of a baby. This kind of lactose intolerance is frequently a transient issue. Congenital lactase deficiency is an extremely rare condition in which some neonates are unable to produce any lactase from birth.
Is Milk Allergy & Lactose Intolerance Same?-
No. The terms lactose intolerance and milk allergy are often misunderstood by parents. Even though their symptoms may be similar, they are two very separate illnesses. In contrast to milk allergy, which affects the immunological system, lactose intolerance is a digestive issue. Therefore, while lactose intolerance can be extremely uncomfortable, it won't result in a potentially fatal reaction like anaphylaxis.
Since a baby's digestive system is still honestly undeveloped in the first year of life, milk allergies frequently develop during this time. Childhood, adolescence, and maturity can all see an increase in lactose intolerance symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance-
The amount of lactose consumed affects the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Your youngster will experience more symptoms the more lactose he or she drinks. According to the amount ingested and the amount tolerated, minor to severe lactose intolerance symptoms might appear minutes to hours after drinking milk or consuming dairy products. The following are signs:
- Nausea
- bloating, cramps, and abdominal pain
- Gas and loose stools
- diarrheal gas with water
Can Babies be Lactose Intolerant?-
In fact, lactose intolerance is not particularly prevalent in newborns and usually does not manifest until children who were born full-term are three years old. Lactase is present in every baby's gut at birth. Developmental lactase insufficiency, a form of lactose intolerance, is more prevalent in premature babies. After delivery, this condition often only lasts a short while. Most premature babies, though, will be able to eat lactose-containing formula and breast milk.
Babies with congenital lactase deficiency, an extremely rare condition, are unable to digest the lactose in breast milk or formula. This condition is brought on by parent-inherited genes. Severe diarrhea is the outcome of this type of intolerance.
To The Bottom Line-
Lactose Intolerance is a common issue in babies, young kids, and adults. Simply, the condition is solely not about being allergic to milk but also about feeling bad after having it. And of course the other dairy-associated products. However, problems come with solutions.
