Lactose intolerance and diarrhoea: Cause and Effect

Lactose intolerance and diarrhoea: Cause and Effect

Does lactose free cause diarrhoea?

People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest lactose in milk. As a result, they have diarrhoea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products.

The condition is usually harmless, but its symptoms can cause discomfort in the gut. The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include nausea, bloating, gas and diarrhoea.

What causes lactose intolerance?

Having insufficient amounts of the lactase enzyme produced in your small intestine is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. You can have low levels of lactase and still be able to digest milk products. But if your levels are too low you become lactose intolerant, leading to the mentioned symptoms after you eat or drink dairy.

Living with lactose intolerance

If you are lactose intolerant, you may be able to manage the condition without changing much in your diet. However if you want to get rid of the discomfort, you don’t have to give up all dairy foods. You can always go for lactose-free dairy products or lactose-free milk which will help ease all those nasty symptoms of lactose intolerance, including diarrhoea.

Know more about lactose intolerance and its causes and symptoms.