Perhaps no other condition has more of an identity crisis than lactose intolerance.
There’s a lot to be said about the subject, but here’s a simple way to make the diagnosis: If you feel sick to your stomach every time you eat a tub of yogurt or drink a glass of milk, you might very well be lactose intolerant. This said, it’s also possible that if you’ve never had a problem digesting milk and dairy products, you can suddenly develop a lactose intolerance. In fact, this development is more common as people age.
If you feel sick to your stomach after eating a tub of yogurt or drinking a glass of milk once in a while, there’s a probability that you’re not lactose intolerant, even if you’re grappling with the symptoms.
Breaking down lactose intolerance
If you suffer from lactose intolerance, it means that your body cannot easily digest lactose, which is a natural sugar. There are two types of lactose intolerance, with the most common one caused because the small intestine does not make lactase. This type is known as “adult lactose intolerance” because the symptoms usually begin during adolescence or early adulthood and last for life.
The second type of lactose intolerance is far less common. People who suffer from it could initially produce lactase but some type of surgical procedure or event diminishes their ability to do so. Such procedures and events include Celiac disease, diarrheal disease and chemotherapy.
In either case, lactose intolerance can produce gas and bloating, cramping and diarrhea as soon as 30 minutes and up to two hours after eating. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Seek relief from the discomfort
As bad as it sounds – and can feel – lactose intolerance is different from a food allergy. People who have a milk allergy cannot eat or drink any milk or dairy products, and their symptoms are usually much more severe.
The symptoms also can mirror those of other conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
To ease the confusion in your mind – and settle the identity crisis once and for all – consult a physician and get a complete physical examination. In the meantime, reach for CharcoCaps for relief from gas and bloating. Taking one caplet before and after you eat can absorb gas from lactose intolerance – allowing you to enjoy some of the foods you enjoy most without the discomfort that usually follows.