FAQ about "Lactose intolerance"

The article was written by MSc Pham Thi Mai Thanh - Department of General Internal Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Lactose intolerance is common in Native Americans, Asians, and blacks. In people with lactose intolerance, the body either doesn't produce enough lactase to digest and absorb lactose (a sugar found in milk) or it doesn't work properly. Fortunately, people with lactose intolerance can take a lactase enzyme supplement to solve this problem.

1. What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body has difficulty digesting milk and dairy products. If you have lactose intolerance when you eat milk or dairy products, you will experience abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

2. What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Symptoms appear only when eating milk or dairy products. Symptoms include:
Abdominal cramps (usually around the navel or below the navel) Bloating Diarrhea (lots of, watery and foamy) Vomiting

Đau bụng rong kinh, rụng tóc bất thường, tim đập thổn thức và vú đau là dấu hiệu của bệnh gì? — Triệu chứng của không dung nạp lactose xuất hiện khi ăn sữa và các sản phẩm từ sữa

3. Is there a diagnostic test for lactose intolerance?

There are two types of tests: a breathing test and a blood test. Breathing tests are more common.
Lactose hydrogen breath test: you will drink a solution containing lactose then breathe into a specialized machine every 30 minutes, the machine will measure how much hydrogen you exhale. People with lactose intolerance will exhale more hydrogen than the average person Lactose tolerance test: you will drink a solution containing lactose, then a blood sample will be taken at the beginning of the test and after 1h, after 2h. If your blood sugar is still low after drinking lactose, it means you are lactose intolerant

4. Do I have to see a doctor?

Have. If you think you have lactose intolerance you should see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis and to rule out other conditions.

5. How is lactose intolerance treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease, including:
Reduce intake of milk and milk products Find additional sources of nutrients (calcium, vitamin D, protein) not from dairy Digestive enzyme supplements help digest dairy products >>> Lactose-free diet: Foods to eat and avoid

sữa — Tùy thuộc vào mức độ nặng của bệnh để có phương pháp điều trị thích hợp

6. How do I reduce dairy foods?

You can start to reduce, but not stop, dairy foods. Foods containing milk include: milk, ice cream, buttercream, yogurt, cheese, butter. You should consult with a nutritionist to know which foods contain lactose.
>>> Lactose intolerance, can you tolerate cheese and yogurt?
Sometimes lactose is added to foods you didn't expect: breakfast cereals, instant soups, salad dressings, even some medicines contain lactose.

7. What digestive enzyme supplements do I need?

There are many additional enzymes such as: Lactaid, Lactase, LacAce, Lacteol. You need to take a yeast supplement right before eating, if you forget you can take it with a meal, but it will be less effective.
It is important to know that each type of yeast works differently for each person, no one can completely digest the lactose, so some people still have symptoms despite taking yeast supplements.

Uống men tiêu hóa đúng cách — Bạn cần uống bổ sung men tiêu hóa ngay trước khi ăn

8. Do I need to take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement?

This depends on whether you stop eating dairy foods altogether. You should see your doctor to check your Vitamin D levels and decide if you need to take a supplement.

9. Is lactose intolerance a food allergy?

No. There are also people who are allergic to milk and milk products but have different symptoms and pathogenesis. In case of allergy the body reacts to the protein contained in milk and involves the immune system.
>>> How is lactose-free milk different from regular milk?

Để đặt lịch khám tại viện, Quý khách vui lòng bấm số HOTLINE hoặc đặt lịch trực tiếp TẠI ĐÂY. Tải và đặt lịch khám tự động trên ứng dụng MyVinmec để quản lý, theo dõi lịch và đặt hẹn mọi lúc mọi nơi ngay trên ứng dụng.

XEM THÊM:

Dịch vụ từ Vinmec