By: Jehad abdullah

What is the difference between this milk and ordinary milk?

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, result of lactase insufficiency.

Symptoms caused by maldigestion of lactose

Milk digestion

The cells lining the small intestine produce an enzyme called lactase

Lactase enzyme breaks down lactose into two simpler sugars called glucose and galactose.

Lactose in the intestine

80 % of adults worldwide do not produce lactase

Males and females are equally

During pregnancy, 44% regain the ability to digest lactose. This is probably due to slow intestinal transit.

Age

Among adults, the age of presentation of lactose intolerance is 20-40 years

Babies are lactose tolerant

Lactose Intolerance vs Milk Allergy

Lactose intolerance Milk allergy

A sensitivity An allergy

Occurs in gastrointestinal system Triggered by immune system

A sensitivity to milk carbohydrate

(lactose)A reaction to milk protein

Rare in young childrenGenerally impacts young

children; may be outgrown*

Can enjoy milk and milk products

with simple management

strategies

Should avoid milk

and milk products

(unless allergy is outgrown)

Types of Lactase Deficiency

Primary lactase deficiency (most common)

- lactase production declines over time

- begins at about age 2

- Researchers have discovered that some people inherit genes from their parents

Cont’

Secondary lactase deficiency

results from:-

- injury to the small intestine.

- Infection

- diseases

Cont’

Developmental lactase deficiency

- in infants born prematurely

- This condition usually lasts for only a short time after they are born.

Congenital lactase deficiency

- rare disorder in which the small intestine produces little or no lactase enzyme from birth. Genes inherited from parents cause this disorder.

Cont’

Familial lactase deficiency

- lactase production is fine, but it does not do the job. It does not break down the lactase into glucose and galactose so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This condition is also inherited from the parents.

bloated feeling,Stomach cramps

diarrhoea

flatulence nausea, vomitting

excessive gas in the intestinal tract

an hour or two after consuming lactose

risk factors of lactose intolerance

Age

Ancestry

Radiotherapy

Being born prematurely

lactose intolerance diagnosed Medical, family, and diet history. A

health care provider will take a medical, family, and diet history to help diagnose lactose intolerance.

Physical exam

- checks for abdominal bloating

- uses a stethoscope to listen to sounds within the abdomen

- taps on the abdomen to check for tenderness or pain

lactose intolerance diagnosed

Medical tests

- Hydrogen breath test

- Lactose tolerance test

lactose intolerance diagnosed

Stool acidity test

- Undigested lactose

creates lactic acid and other fatty acids that a stool acidity test can detect in a stool sample. Health care providers sometimes use this test to check acidity in the stools of infants and young children.

management

Lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk and milk products

Alternatives to Soy Milk

How much lactose can a person with lactose intolerance have?

Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet and do not need to avoid milk or milk products completely. Avoiding milk and milk products altogether may cause people to take in less calcium and vitamin D than they need. See the “Calcium and Vitamin D” section

Research suggests that adults and adolescents with lactose malabsorption could eat or drink at least 12 grams of lactose in one sitting without symptoms or with only minor symptoms. This amount is the amount of lactose in 1 cup of milk

Lactase products- People can use lactase tablets and drops when they eat or drink milk

products.

References

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/DDISEASES/pubs/lactoseintolerance/

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Lactose_intolerance

Ganong's of Medical Physiology, 23rd Edition

Rubin’s basic pathology , ninth Edition