10 Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
It is only relatively recently that humans have been able to drink milk, asides from our mother’s breast milk. Tens of thousands of years ago we would have been unable to digest it, but we gradually evolved to be able to include it in our diets. Some people, though, still struggle with the digestion of milk.
Milk contains a compound known as lactose, and this is very difficult for some people to break down. When consumed, it causes complications in the digestive system leading to a number of symptoms. The symptoms can range from being uncomfortable, to having a serious detrimental impact on the patient’s life.
Symptom #1: Abdominal Pain
If you eat something that disagrees with you then you may well experience pain in the abdomen. This can range from being mild to unbearable but will generally pass in time. Such pains will often be caused by foods that are hard on the digestive system, such as foods with a lot of herbs or spices.
Abdominal pains are also a common symptom of an intolerance to lactose. The pains will begin around half an hour or so after consuming food that contains lactose and it can be severe in some cases. Devising a diary of what and when you eat could help you to pinpoint the problem.
Symptom #2: Unhealthy Stools
As unpleasant as it may be, a person’s stools can tell you a lot about their diet and their health. If somebody does have an illness or a physical problem with their digestive system, it will often be apparent in what they leave behind in the toilet. A doctor might even sometimes ask for a sample to help diagnose a condition.
People that have an intolerance to lactose are likely to find that their stools are runny but can also take on a tar-like consistency. Sometimes, this might lead to an incorrect diagnosis, hampering the ability to deal with the condition.
Symptom #3: Diarrhea
As food and liquids pass through the digestive system, so liquid and nutrients are absorbed to be used by the body. This takes time, though, so food generally passes through quite slowly so as much can be absorbed as possible. If the food is passed through the system too quickly, not enough water is absorbed, resulting in very watery stools.
Diarrhea is potentially quite serious because it could lead to dehydration due to insufficient water being absorbed. This can be particularly troublesome in the old, the very young and the sick. Persistent diarrhea should not be taken lightly and a doctor should be seen when you are able.
Symptom #4: Bloating
Bloating can be quite uncomfortable but will usually pass before long. It is often a result of eating too much, drinking gassy drinks or eating something that causes indigestion. As such, it is a common symptom among people that suffer from lactose intolerance.
If you do tend to experience bloating even after eating meals that are not particularly large or gassy, there’s a good chance you have an intolerance to lactose. Keep a diary of what foods you eat, at what time and any symptoms you experience. This should help you to determine what foods are giving you a reaction, and which you should avoid.
Symptom #5: Weight Loss
We live in a world where people are under a lot of pressure to be thin. Sometimes, weight loss is necessary as obesity is very unhealthy. At other times, it is down to aesthetics even though excessive weight loss can also be very unhealthy. Losing too much weight can be dangerous, and it can sometimes be caused by an illness.
An intolerance to lactose will cause various digestive issues, meaning that the patient cannot absorb the nutrients that they need. This can lead them to lose weight regardless of their diet. Because weight loss is something that could be caused by something serious you should speak with a doctor as soon as possible if it happens to you.
Symptom #6: Painful Bowel Movements
A healthy person will experience fairly regular bowel movements with little to no discomfort. Even larger movements should pass with little difficulty, although spicy foods can cause some discomfort the following day. For people with an intolerance to lactose, though, bowel movements can be something to be apprehensive about.
Lactose intolerance can cause the patient to experience considerable pain and discomfort when passing stools. The pain is often associated with intestinal spasms that are often felt with diarrhea. These symptoms should hopefully subside or even disappear altogether once lactose is eliminated from the patient’s diet.
Symptom #7: Flatulence
Flatulence is a very natural thing and also quite necessary. While it is often the subject of toilet humor, it can be quite awkward in social situations potentially leading to embarrassment. While most of us will experience it occasionally, it can be a common occurrence among people with an intolerance to lactose.
As the gut is unable to completely digest food in the small intestine, undigested food will sometimes pass through to the large intestine. When in the large intestine, bacteria within the gut will cause undigested food to ferment, creating the gases that cause flatulence. Not only is more gas produced, but the odor of the gas is also particularly strong.
Symptom #8: Nausea
Nausea is quite a common symptom and can be caused by numerous ailments. Sometimes, it might simply be down to an obnoxious odor or even something like travel sickness. It can also be caused by eating something that is causing problems, with lactose being one such example.
An intolerance to lactose can lead to indigestion which will lead to the patient feeling nauseous. This will often, but not always, lead to vomiting. If the patient is struggling to keep food down then they will not be getting the nutrition they need. If you are experiencing excessive nausea or vomiting then you should arrange to speak with a doctor.
Symptom #9: Stomach Sounds
Our stomachs are full of juices and gases swirling and swishing around. Covered by several layers of fat, muscle and other tissues, we tend not to hear anything, but there is quite a lot of noise going on down there. If your stomach is upset, though, then these sounds can get louder, causing them to become clearly audible.
If you are experiencing audible sounds coming from your stomach, it could be caused by an intolerance to lactose. It will likely be accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating and flatulence. Eliminating lactose from your diet should hopefully eliminate the sounds.
Symptom #10: Fatigue
For some people, feeling tired and drained of energy is an everyday occurrence. They will sometimes experience it all day, every day, and it can have an impact on their lives. They will often be accused of being lazy or disinterested, although in reality, it is something that they have little control over.
Lactose intolerance can have an impact on the body that causes the patient’s energy levels to be depleted. Even a good night’s sleep will not help invigorate them, and they may wake in the morning feeling just as fatigued as when they went to bed. With a correct diagnosis, however, they can deal with the problem and hopefully have the energy to live life to the fullest.
