Lactose Intolerance is the name that many people use to refer to the condition of impaired digestion of lactose. Our body has the enzyme lactase produced in the small intestine. It breaks down lactose, which is found in many dairy products, into smaller sizes and is absorbed to use as energy in the body. But the body of a person with lactose intolerance cannot completely digest lactose. This is because the small intestine does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase. When undigested lactose reacts with bacteria in the large intestine, It causes gas and causes bloating and abdominal pain as a result UFABET
Impaired lactose digestion is divided into 3 types, which have different causes as follows:
- The body produces less of the enzyme lactase on its own (Primary Lactose Intolerance) is the most common type. It is usually caused by a genetic abnormality. This causes the body to produce less of the enzyme lactase as we age. As a result, it results in lactose intolerance when people enter adolescence and adulthood.
- Result of various illnesses (Secondary Lactose Intolerance) such as gastritis and small intestine inflammation. Gastroenteritis, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, including treatment with certain antibiotics and chemotherapy.
- abnormalities since birth It may be caused by genetics and premature birth. This causes babies to be born with lactose intolerance. But it is a condition that is found very rarely.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
In general, people with will experience bloating from gas, abdominal pain in the navel or lower abdomen, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, constipation. Symptoms usually occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming milk or cow’s milk products. The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount eaten and the individual’s ability to digest lactose.
However, Cow’s milk allergy are different in both causes and severity of symptoms. Cow’s milk allergy is caused by an abnormality of the immune system that affects proteins found in cow’s milk. Therefore causing allergic symptoms such as red rash, itching, swollen face, stomach pain, vomiting, nasal congestion, and wheezing after eating milk. And may cause severe allergic reactions ( Anaphylaxis )