YOGYAKARTA - Lactose intolerance is a condition when a person has difficulty digesting lactose. Lactose itself is a natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This condition is generally not dangerous, but makes it uncomfortable after consuming dairy products. For more details, the following will discuss what lactose intolerance is, symptoms to risk factors for experiencing it.
What is Lactose Intolerance?As reported by the Mayo Clinic, lactose intolerance is a condition when the body has difficulty digesting lactose due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. Lactase is an enzyme produced in the small intestine and functions to break down lactose into simple sugars, namely glucose and galactose, so that it is easily absorbed by the body.
Someone with low lactase levels can usually still digest dairy products. However, when lactase levels are too low, a person can experience lactose intolerance.
Lactase that cannot be digested properly in the small intestine moves to the large intestine without undergoing the absorption process, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, frequent wind, and bloating.
Lactose intolerance is generally not harmful. Most people with lactose intolerance can overcome this condition without having to stop consuming all processed dairy foods.
Symptoms of Lactose IntoleranceSymptoms of lactose intolerance usually appear within a few hours after consuming foods or drinks containing lactose. The intensity can vary from person to person, depending on the amount of lactase they have. The lower the enzyme level, the greater the complaints usually felt.
Some common symptoms include:
Nausea, and in some cases accompanied by vomiting. Abdominal pain. Abdominal distention. Frequent wind. Causes of Lactose IntoleranceLactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase enzymes in the small intestine. Without this enzyme, the body is unable to break down lactose into simpler forms. As a result, the process of absorbing nutrients is disrupted.
As previously discussed, lactase converts lactose into glucose and galactose so that it can be absorbed by the body. However, if the production is insufficient, lactose will go directly to the large intestine. Bacteria in the large intestine then interact with undigested lactose, causing symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Risk Factors for Lactose IntoleranceQuoted from the same page, there are several factors that can increase the risk of someone experiencing lactose intolerance, including:
Increased age: Lactose intolerance generally appears in adults. This condition is rare in infants and children. Ethnic factors: Asian, African, Hispanic, and Native American ancestry tend to be more susceptible. Premature birth: Premature babies may have lower levels of lactase. This is because the small intestine does not develop lactase-producing cells until the end of the third trimester. Diseases of the small intestine: Small intestine problems such as celiac, Crohn's, or excess bacterial growth can affect lactase production. This condition causes lactose intolerance. Treatment of certain cancers: Radiation therapy in the abdominal area or complications from chemotherapy can affect intestinal function. This increases the risk of lactose intolerance.Those are some things you need to know about lactose intolerance. If you often experience diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain after consuming dairy products, immediately consult a medical professional. With the right diagnosis, you can get advice on a safer diet and still meet your daily nutritional needs.
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