Lactose intolerance
‘Allergy’ to milk is probably less common than many people think. A genuine allergic reaction usually involves an itchy, eczema-like skin rash or difficulty in breathing.
But some people have a problem with milk because they have lactose intolerance (also called lactase deficiency).
Lactose is a complex carbohydrate (sugar) that is present in all milks. In the digestive process, lactose is broken down into two simpler sugars, glucose and galactose. An enzyme called lactase is necessary for this process. Some people do not have enough lactase and therefore have difficulty digesting milk and milk products.
The main symptoms of lactase deficiency are abdominal discomfort, a bloated feeling, wind and diarrhoea. These symptoms can be due to many other things, so it is important to be sure before deciding that someone has this condition. For those with serious symptoms, special tests are available. But for most people the simple experiment of keeping lactose out of the diet for a week or 2 and seeing if things get better is enough. If the symptoms return when lactose is re-introduced into the diet then the diagnosis is probably right.
Most affected people can take at least 10 grams of lactose a day (an average glass of regular milk), without any problems, so they do not have to avoid lactose entirely; they just need to be sensible and not overdo it.
Foods with a high lactose content are:
- regular milk;
- ice cream;
- yoghurt; and
- cream cheese.
Lactase deficiency can occur on a temporary basis after a bout of gastroenteritis, or in people with coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Once the underlying problem has been treated or resolves, the difficulties digesting lactose will also improve or resolve.
Last Reviewed: 08 November 2007
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