Lactose+Intolerance+ZW


 * What is lactose intolerance?
 * The inability to digest a major amount of lactose, the major sugar in milk.
 * How is it caused?
 * By a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine.
 * Moreover lactase breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. But not everybody who has a lack of lactase develops intolerance for lacoste.[[image:LI1.jpg]]
 * What are the symptoms?
 * People who have it feel very uncomfortable after having milk products
 * Mild to servere...
 * Nausea
 * Cramps
 * Bloating
 * Gas
 * Diarrhea
 * Symptoms begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. The severity of symptoms depends on alot of factors, including the amount of lactose that person can tolerate and that person's age, ethnicity, and digestion rate.
 * It's hard to diagnose off of jsut symptoms because most people who think they have lactose intolerance are unfamiliar with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome which has the same symptoms practically.
 * The most common tests used to measure the absorption of lactose in the digestive system are:
 * __The lactose tolerance test:__ This test requires fasting before the test and then drinking a liquid like milk that has lactose. Several blood samples are taken over a 2-hour period to measure the person's blood glucose (blood sugar) level. These measurements show how well the body is able to digest lactose. Normally, when lactose reaches the digestive system, the lactase enzyme breaks it down into glucose and galactose. Then the liver changes the galactose into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and raises the person's blood glucose level. But if lactose isn't completely broken down, the blood glucose level does not rise and a diagnosis of lactose intolerance is confirmed.
 * __The hydrogen breath test:__ This test measures the amount of hydrogen in a person's breath. Very little hydrogen is normally detectable. But undigested lactose in the colon is fermented by bacteria and produces different gases, including hydrogen. The hydrogen is absorbed from the intestines, carried through the bloodstream to the lungs, and exhaled. In this test, the person drinks a lactose-loaded beverage and the breath is analyzed at regular intervals. Raised levels of hydrogen in the breath indicate improper digestion of lactose. Certain foods, medications, and cigarettes can affect the accuracy of the test and should be avoided before taking the test. People should check with their doctor to make sure they are not taking medications that may interfere with test results. The lactose tolerance and hydrogen breath tests are not given to infants younger than 6 months of age. A large lactose load can be dangerous prior to this age, as infants are more likely to become dehydrated from diarrhea that can be caused by lactose intolerance.
 * and...
 * __The stool acidity tests:__ This test may be used for infants and young children to measure the amount of acid in their stool. Undigested lactose fermented by bacteria in the colon creates lactic acid and other fatty acids that can be detected in a stool sample. Glucose may also be present in the sample as a result of unabsorbed lactose in the colon.
 * Who is at risk for Lactose Intolerance?
 * Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant and certain ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others. Up to 80 percent of African Americans, 80 to 100 percent of American Indians, and 90 to 100 percent of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant. The condition is least common among people of northern European descent. Babies that are born prematurely are also more likely to be lactose intolerant, because lactase levels do not increase until the third trimester of a woman's pregnancy
 * .How is it treated?
 * Nothing can help the body's ability to produce more lactase but the symptoms can be controlled through diet.
 * For those who react to very small amounts of lactose or have trouble limiting their intake of foods that contain it, the lactase enzyme is available without a prescription to help people digest foods that contain lactose. The tablets are taken with the first bite of dairy food. Lactase enzyme is also available as a liquid. Adding a few drops of the enzyme makes lactose more digestible for people with lactose intolerance.