– Why the inability to metabolize lactose occur in certain individuals.
– The causes and symptoms of this condition.
Some people experience lactose intolerance but in most cases, they do not know what it is. It is important that you know about this condition, so that the next time you experience its symptoms, you will know what to do.
Lactose intolerance simply refers to the inability to fully metabolize lactose. Lactose, on the other hand, refers to the disaccharide sugar of milk and dairy products. This disaccharide sugar can be sucrose, maltose or even lactose.
If a person does not fully metabolize the lactose, it means that the person does not fully digest the sugar in the milk or any other dairy product he has taken.
We take in sugar almost every day, in fact, most of the foods we consume consist of sugar. We take milk, yogurt, ice cream and other edible things that contain sugar. This is to say that hardly will a day go by without we taking sugar.
Also, this condition can occur at any There are risk factors or causes of this condition, the common ones include the following;
1. When a person has a deficiency of lactase, which is an enzyme produced in the small intestine, lactose intolerance will occur. So, lactase deficiency is a leading risk factor for this condition.
2. Also, this intolerance relates to age. The older one grows the higher the tendency of developing this intolerance. This is why this condition is not common among children, an increase in age is a risk factor.
3. When someone has a disease that affects the small intestine, this condition can also occur.
4. Also, a congenital absence of lactase due to a mutation in the gene can result in this condition.
The common symptoms of lactose intolerance include the following;
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Diarhhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal distention
- Flatulence
- Indigestion, and
- Abdominal pain.
Whenever you experience the symptoms of lactose intolerance, it is essential that you see your doctor.