What's Lactose intolerance?
Lactose Intolerant means that your body is unable to metabolize, or tolerate, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products called Lactose. It is caused by a lack of lactase, the enzyme required to break down lactose in the digestive system, and results in symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and acid reflux.For more information, see the page link, further down this page, listed under Sources and Related Links.Lactose Intolerance is a medical condition that is similar to an allergy, in a way. A person who is lactose intolerant does not produce the enzyme that is used in digestion to break down the sugars found in milk and other dairy products (this sugar is called lactose). As a result, the sugars remain un-digested in the stomcah and digestive tract. This can cause pain, bloating, swelling, dicomfort, nasuea, vomiting, and infection. People who are lactoce intolerant are advised to eliminate dairy products out of their diet. In more milder cases, people can take a medication (often known as a "lact-aid") that conatins the enzyme that will allow them to digest small amounts of lactose found in their diet.