Love your ice cream fixes, milkshakes, cereal and your cheese? But you don’t feel the best after? Is it possible you might be suffering from lactose intolerance? Here are some signs to watch out for!
Have you noticed every time you consume milk, milk-based beverages or foods, you feel sick, bloated, end up with an irritated gut? When your incessant ice cream cravings soon turn to troubled nights and days? Your morning coffee runs turn into dull stomach aches? If it is recurring, then it may be a sign to get checked for lactose intolerance by your doctor.
First things first, do you want to know what lactose is? Lactose is scientifically a type of sugar found naturally in the milk and foods containing animal milk of most mammals e.g. cow, buffalo, goat, sheep. Furthermore, Lactose is found to be present in mainly milk and milk based products. Many times it can also be found in other boxed food items for e.g. bread, cereal, salad dressings, cake and cookie mixes, creamers.
What Is Lactose Intolerance?
To be able to break Lactose down well in your body, you need your body to produce a natural enzyme “Lactase” which is responsible for breaking down it for digestion. This is rather said to be crucial for infants who need lactase to digest milk but what’s surprising is as children grow older, they produce less and less lactase. As you reach adulthood, studies say nearly 70% people around the globe, end up no longer producing enough lactase to digest the lactose in milk which in turn leads to uncomfortable symptoms post dairy/milk consumption. Though science says some people could even develop lactose intolerance after surgical procedures or gastrointestinal conditions such as viral or bacterial infections.
Possible/Common Symptoms
It goes without saying, each person’s symptoms will vary and the symptoms set in often about 30 minutes to 2 hours after you consume food or drinks containing lactose.
Mainly symptoms may include:
- Belly (abdominal) cramps and pain
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
Though the symptoms are not life threatening as per research, they sure can lead to discomfort, affected life style, future digestion and abdominal problems. Most people can manage their symptoms through changes in diet and also working at limiting the amount of lactose their diet entails. Some even have to cut it out entirely.
It Even Has A Sneaky Way Of Affecting Your Skin!
Its no surprise what you eat even affects what your skin looks like. If you are lucky, you might get away with it but age has a funny way of changing that. That’s not just it, there’s a high possibility Lactose may also be affecting your skin! Whether you consume it as part of your smoothie, your daily tea or coffee or in the form of ice cream or cream cheese, dairy-based products have been the first to be blamed for health concerns like indigestion and acne.
One of the most reported skin concerns that dairy and lactose has been linked to is acne. After a consultation with your healthcare provider or dermatologist, its possible they MIGHT suggest ditching dairy for some time or incorporating lactose free foods. Studies also show reports and links between lactose intolerance and eczema, rashes.
Why You Need To Confirm & Get A Diagnosis?
Please consult your healthcare provider to receive a confirmed diagnoses. The healthcare provider will talk you through your symptoms, health and family history and conduct a physical exam. Some tests can help your doctor check for lactose intolerance.
After examining the results, your doctor can then best recommend you the way forward. Either he can suggest lactose free, lactose reduced milk and milk products according to the severity of your intolerance. It’s essential to talk to a healthcare provider because he or she can suggest other foods to be sure you get enough calcium. You may need to take calcium supplements because dairy foods are a major source of calcium which is imperative for bone growth and other nutrients essential for health and development.
So here is your sign to make an appointment with your doctor if you frequently have symptoms of lactose intolerance after eating dairy foods and you think something is amiss.
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Sources: National Library Of Medicine, John Hopkins, Healthline
