"Lactose Intolerance" is the inability of body to break down lactose.
Lactose is a form of sugar that is found in milk or milk products. Lactose is broken down by an engyme named LACTASE produced by the cells linning in the small intestine. By lactase, lactose is converted into galactose. Being absorbed in the bloodstream galactose then goes to liver and being converted into glucose re-enters into bloodstream.
The unbroken lactose stuff found in the colon is fermented by bacteria and hydrozen is produced. This hydrozen being absorbed in the bloodstream reaches to lung and lung releases hydrozen with the exhaled air causing a bad
breath.Lactose intolerance is caused by some diseases of digestive system or by injuries to the small intestine that results in insufficient lactase production.Symptoms of lactose intolerance is nausea. bloating, diarrhea, cramps and gas.
People of all ages including children may develope lactose intolerance. Some children are born unable to break down lactose after two years of age. Experts believe that 75% people worldwide has more or less lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is not hazaradous but creates too much discomfort.
Presence of lactose intolerance in an individual is tested by three test methods. They are-
**Lactose Tolerance Test: Before taking this test medical professionals allow a patient to fast. Then a lactose rich liquid is given to the patient to drink. During 2 hours after drink of lactose liquid, blood samples are taken and glucose levels are monitored. Glucose level indicates if the patient has lactose intolerance. A diagnosis of lactose intolerance is confirmed if the glucose level is increased. This test is not safe for the newborns and young children as they are prone to dehydration that may be caused by diarrhea due to lactose rich liquid.
**Hydrozen Breath Test: Before taking the test a lactose rich beverage is given to the patient and medical professional monitors the smelling of hydrozen intensity in breaths at a regular intervals to see if glucose level rises. If the breath odor is too intense then it shows low glucose
level in the blood. Low glucose level indicates improper lactose digestion. This test is not applicable for infants and young children too.**Stool Acidity Test: A stool acidity test is safe for the infants and young children. This test detects lactic acid and other short-chained fatty acids from the unbroken lactose fermented by bacteria in the colon.
How to manage:
1. People must control eating of dairy products.
2. Newborns and young children must let have soya milk instead of natural milk.
3. People who has high sensitivity just after ingestion a little amount of lactose may take lactase enzyme in the form of tablet before eating.
4. People can compensate the loss of calcium caused by cutting off dairy products by taking calcium supplements and eating calcium rich food like kale, broccoli, canned salmons with bones, calcium fortified food and tofu.
Infine , I would say lactose intolerance is a natural occurance and so can not be treated. But it can be controlled by diet and food supplements.
If you suspect yourself to be lactose intolerant than treat it as par the prescription of a physician.