common⚑ High burden in India
Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a lessened ability or a complete inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Humans vary in the amount of lactose they can tolerate before symptoms develop. Symptoms may include pain, , , , and . These symptoms typically start thirty minutes to two hours after eating or drinking something containing lactose, with the severity typically depending on the amount consumed. Lactose intolerance does not cause damage to the tract.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- · pain, , , ,
Causes — why it happens
- ·Non-increased ability to digest lactose (, small injury)
Treatment
- ·Decreasing lactose in the diet, lactase supplements, treat the underlying cause
Complications
- ·Does not cause damage to the GI tract
Did you know?
The classic milk-tolerance gene is rare in South India - despite the dairy love
The European lactase-persistence allele is 51% in Europeans but just 5-6% in Telugu and Sri Lankan Tamil groups.
Source: 1000 Genomes phase 3
Test yourself
0/4 answered4 quick questions on Lactose intolerance. Tap an answer to check it.
1. Lactose intolerance is trouble digesting what?
2. Which of these is a common symptom of lactose intolerance?
3. How soon after eating dairy do symptoms usually start?
4. Does lactose intolerance damage the gut?
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See all of Intestines →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.