Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance -- How to Control Them
 People who have lactose intolerance experience symptoms whenever they consume dairy products such as cheese, milk, and ice cream. This is because they have a lactase deficiency, which prevents them from fully digesting the milk sugar in dairy products. Although many people have a low level of lactase -- an enzyme produced by the lining of the small intestine -- they don't necessarily exhibit symptoms of lactose intolerance because they naturally produce a sufficient amount of lactase to digest dairy. Only those who have symptoms and a low lactase count are considered lactose intolerant.
Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, and abdominal cramps. If you're lactose intolerant, your symptoms typically begin about 30 minutes to two hours after you eat dairy products. These symptoms can be mild to severe. You are more likely to develop a lactose intolerance and experience symptoms if you are:
- An Adult - lactose intolerance is rare in babies and children because their bodies produce a high level of the lactase enzyme. As you grow older, your body produces less lactase, making you susceptible to the condition.
- A certain race - lactose intolerance is common in people who are black, Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian.
- Born prematurely - unlike most full-term babies, preemies may have a low level of lactase because the enzyme count usually increases in the fetus during the late third trimester.
- Affected by diseases of the small intestine - intestinal disorders such as gastroenteritis and celiac disease, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease can cause lactose intolerance.
If you are experiencing symptoms of lactose intolerance after you eat dairy products, you may want to consult your physician. Your doctor may diagnose you based on your symptoms, or he or she may also perform a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis. Although there is no cure for lactose intolerance or a way to increase your lactase enzyme count, you can minimize symptoms by eating less dairy products or taking lactase enzyme supplements before you eat any dairy foods as a treatment for your lactose intolerance.
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