#milk and lactose intolerance

[ankurahospitalvijayawada]

Lactose Intolerance in Infants and Children in India, Hyderabad - Ankura Hospital

The human body has a miraculous mechanism of digesting and assimilating food. Various enzymes and digestive juices work together at the molecular level during the process of digestion, helping us gain the necessary nutrients. The absence of smaller enzymes or chemicals can lead to intolerance of specific substances. Lactose intolerance is a very common condition where infants, children, and even adults are not able to digest lactose, a very common form of sugar.

What is Lactose?

Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and milk products.

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the inability of the body to digest lactose.

Yes! You read it right! Some people including babies and children are incapable of digesting this simple sugar lactose found in milk and milk products.

What happens when someone suffers from Lactose Intolerance?

In a normal scenario, whenever we consume products containing lactose, it reaches the small intestine where it is broken down into smaller pieces by an enzyme called lactase. These products are then absorbed as nutrients and give us energy. In lactose intolerance, the body doesn’t make enough lactase and thus the lactose is not digested. This lactose which remains undigested in the small intestine, then passes to the large intestine- the colon, where it sits and accumulates. In the colon the lactose is broken down by the bacteria, resulting in gas, bloating, stomach ache, etc.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Anyone who has lactose intolerance experiences the symptoms below after consuming products containing lactose.

Bloating or distention of the abdomen- This is a feeling of fullness or tightness in the belly

Pain abdomen- Due to undigested lactose, one experiences cramps and pain in the stomach region

Burping- While one may experience burping normally after eating a good meal, burping in case of lactose intolerance is excessive

Excess gas- One may notice this as an excess burp, fart, or stomach ache

Diarrhoea- Loose stools which may be accompanied by nausea are also a symptom one may experience

In lactose intolerant infants, excessive perianal excoriation (painful red skin around anus) can develop due to acidic stool. This may lead to excessive irritability and pain while passing stool.

Besides the above, there may be a sudden urge to use the toilet after consumption of lactose, and one may also be able to hear loud bowel sounds.

The above symptoms can vary in severity and presentation depending on the amount of lactose one has consumed.

Can babies be born with lactose intolerance?

Though lactose intolerance usually shows up later in life, very  rarely some infants are born with lactose intolerance.

Primary lactase deficiency-

Babies who have lactose intolerance at birth can have primary lactase deficiency. This means that due to genetic abnormality, these babies do not produce lactase enzyme at all. In this case, they have to be fed on special lactose-free baby formulas. This is a rare, easily treatable but life-threatening disease if diagnosis is delayed. What are the other types of lactose intolerance?

In individuals who have adequate lactase at birth, its production can be affected by factors such as infection, disease and age.

Secondary lactase deficiency- In this type of lactose intolerance, the small intestines stop producing lactase due to infection or disease. This is the most common type of lactose intolerance in small children and infants and is temporary. Viral/bacterial infections and diseases such as Celiac and Crohn’s disease (an immune-mediated gastrointestinal disorder) can lead to this type of lactose intolerance. Early diagnosis

by a pediatric gastroenterologist can help in regaining lactose tolerance in such cases.

Since children commonly develop viral infections and other infections of the gastrointestinal tract, secondary lactose intolerance occurs in most kids. Diarrhoea and pain in such cases is a common cause of concern for parents and thus this requires to be identified and addressed at the earliest.

Acquired lactase deficiency- Adults may also get lactose intolerant with age. This is due to a reduction in the enzyme lactase with age.

How can a parent confirm if their baby is lactose intolerant?

Parents should look out for the symptoms listed above to know if their baby can be lactose intolerant. In case of doubt, they should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist at the earliest, as lactose intolerance can lead to painful symptoms and can affect the growth of your child. Most of the times diagnosis can be made clinically, however, your doctor may ask for few tests in case of doubt.

Hydrogen breath test- Suspected lactose intolerance is confirmed by a simple breath test. The doctor introduces lactose in the child after overnight fasting and checks for rising hydrogen levels in the breath by making the child exhale in a bag. The symptoms of lactose intolerance if occur are also confirmed during this test which requires 3-4 hours. This test is not commonly performed very commonly, and may not be required in simple cases of lactose intolerance.

Stools tests:Your doctor may also employ other tests as stool tests if required.

In severe cases, when the diagnosis is unclear, endoscopy as performed by a pediatric gastroenterologist can help in getting a biopsy of the small intestine and the lactase levels can be measured directly.

Your child has to be kept on low  lactose or lactose-free diet in case they develop lactose intolerance.

Which are products that contain lactose?

Lactose may be a part of many products. Some of these include:

-Milk (All types including breast milk)

-Cheese and Butter

-Yogurt and Curd

-Ice-creams

-Custard

-Milk chocolates

-Bread and pancakes

Additionally, lactose may also be a part of many other processed foods. One is suggested to check the label of the food mentioning nutrition facts to know the presence of lactose in it.

In most of the children where symptoms are not very serious, only decreasing lactose content of diet, or opting for low lactose containing foods may help. In case of uncontrolled symptoms, your doctor may advice for complete cessation of lactose containing food.

What are the alternative foods a parent can offer their child in case of lactose intolerance?

If a child is lactose intolerant parents may worry about the nutrition of the child. Below are some foods that can help in providing your child with adequate calcium:

Lactose-free dairy products, including lactose-free milk, cheese, etc.

Plant-based milk alternatives- These include almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk

Calcium-rich foods- Dark green leafy vegetables, and nuts such as almonds, beans, and fish are some foods with good calcium content

Fruits and vegetables- Ensuring your child consumes fruits and vegetables makes sure they get adequate minerals and vitamins

Please note, that for babies less than six months of age, only lactose-free or minimal lactose-containing milk formulas are suggested, and should be taken as advised by your doctor.

In case of need, your doctor may also provide your child with calcium supplements. Discussion of a detailed diet plan with a dietician and pediatric gastroenterologist helps parents make sure that their lactose-intolerant child is receiving adequate calcium from other sources.

Is Lactose Intolerance treatable?

Most cases of lactose intolerance are temporary, due to infections and take 3-4 weeks to resolve. Your doctor diagnoses and treats the child of the primary infection, which helps in the resolution of lactose intolerance in them. If it’s due to a disease like Celiac and Crohn’s disease then too with the right diagnosis and treatment this condition is resolved.

In rare cases when the disease may be due to primary intolerance, it may require a lifelong change in diet.

Is Lactose intolerance the same as milk allergy?

No. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose and does not lead to the symptoms of allergy. The two are different conditions.

Though lactose intolerance can be a common cause of concern, with timely diagnosis it can easily be tackled. Parents should stay aware, to help their little children deal with lactose intolerance.

[heavyheavycream]

05 tea party

[lowpolyanimals]

trick or treat!!!

✨Treat!✨

Have some delicious macaroni and cheese made using my favourite recipe (not sponsored)

[here-comes-the-moose]

Crosshair: *chugging milk because Wrecker dared him to*

Echo: Aren’t you lactose intolerant?

Crosshair: This isn’t lactose, it’s milk.

Tech, facepalming: You’re a fucking idiot.

[bolotosd]

I may or may not have an oral fixation🧍‍♂️

[mirensiart]

I have 3 ideas for comics for the pain sharing linked universe au, two are bittersweet and one is dumb/funny, but I'm stuck trying to decide which one to draw first 🤔

Both bittersweet comics are, somehow (and completely accidentally) twilight centric lmao like *hits twilight on the back* this baby can fit so much physical and emotional pain

[aubsapples0]

I started practicing how to draw devs glasses and I think I improved a lot the first drawing is without practice

He’s so fun to doodle. Y’all I start school tomorrow :(((( wish me luckkkk

[quartergremlin]

All the food emojis for your version of Yuichi (if it’s not too much. If it is, pick and choose the ones u wanna do) 🥺

Yeah I'll pick a few!

🍦- He's lactose intolerant! Strawberry.

🍔 - He can cook under instruction, but mostly he's good at those "kid tasks". Yknow, peeling potatoes, separating this, stirring that, etc. etc.

🥯 - Who needs breakfast when there's always some chore that needs to be doing!

🍸 - He's not a big drinker, so usually he just sips off of whatever fruity monstrosity leo orders. There may gave been an... incident. With a case of hard lemonade once.

[diadraws]

Would adult Adrien take estrogen with milk

bad news for you about cats and milk

[cads-the-cat]

iii has the same vibe as those lactose intolerant people who specifically seek out anything containing dairy in a challenge to god

[half-oz-eddie]

I'm not the type of person that claims headcanons as canon but I am telling you. Billy Hargrove is canonically lactose intolerant.

You have never seen him drink milk. Never even see him in the vicinity of milk. He works out and drinks beer. He doesn't even eat cereal. He rawdogged a cookie.

The proof is right there.

You agree.

[phoenixyfriend]

STARBUCKS IS GOING TO STOP CHARGING FOR NON-DAIRY MILKS

THIS IS. HUGE. AT LEAST FOR ME

[here-comes-the-moose]

Crosshair would def be someone who, despite being lactose intolerant, would order a cheese pizza and then have ice cream for dessert.

[shadow-0-8]

I was trying to sleep when I came up with this dumb ass hc.

I feel like Graves really loves milk, it probably stems from him being told it’d make him grow as a kid(it did not) but now he just really fucking loves milk. He has one of those massive plastic, probably Costco(I’m assuming they have these in the south WAIT R THEY BIGGER IN TEXAS????) brand jug of milk, that just randomly chugs straight from the bottle at like 5 AM in the morning when he’s thirsty. He also keeps one in the Shadow company break room fridge that the Shadows are actually scared to drink from because Graves definitely back washes into it, and one time he forgot to buy one and actually had a break down(they secretly refill his milk jug now). He will also definitely chug anyone’s left over milk from their cereal straight out of the bowl.