Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability of adults to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and to a lesser extent dairy products, causing side effects. It is due to a lactase deficiency, or hypolactasia. Congenital lactase deficiency prevents babies from drinking even human milk

-Diarrhea - an hour or two after consuming lactose the individual can suddenly become desperate to go to the toilet
-Bloated feeling
-Stomach ache and abdominal pains
-Tummy rumbles
-Nausea
-Dehydration - if symptoms are severe

Lactose, which has a formula C12H22O11, is a sugar that is found in the milk of mammals; it makes up around 2% to 8% of milk. It was discovered by Fabriccio Bartoletti in 1619, and later identified as a sugar by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1780.The human body uses the enzyme lactase to break down lactose into galactose and glucose - which is then absorbed into the bloodstream

Another cause of lactase deficiency is secondary lactase deficiency. This type of deficiency is due to diseases that destroy the lining of the small intestine along with the lactase .

There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but most people are able to control their symptoms by making changes to their diet. Some cases of lactose intolerance, such as those caused by gastroenteritis, are only temporary and will improve within a few days or weeks.