Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant (unable to digest a sugar called lactose). This eMedTV Web page offers an overview of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of lactose intolerance.
The cause of lactose intolerance is a deficiency of an enzyme called lactase. The page of the eMedTV Web site explains this cause in detail and discusses possible risk factors, such as being a certain ethnicity or being born prematurely.
Nausea, gas, and diarrhea are common lactose intolerance symptoms. The information in this eMedTV segment highlights these and other signs and symptoms, and discusses certain conditions that may produce similar symptoms.
As this eMedTV page explains, the lactose tolerance test, hydrogen breath test, and stool acidity test are common forms of lactose intolerance testing. This page describes how these tests work and explains why they are used.
Lactose intolerance treatment usually starts with modifying one's diet. As this eMedTV article explains, many people also take lactase tablets to help with digestion. This page covers the different options for lactose intolerance treatment.
Lactose intolerance can make it difficult for you to get enough calcium. This eMedTV page discusses lactose intolerance and calcium in detail, including information on how much calcium is recommended and how to get more calcium in your diet.
There may be a link between lactose intolerance and bone health. However, as this eMedTV article explains, we still don't know if lactose intolerance causes osteoporosis. This page provides an overview of lactose intolerance and bone health.
Hidden lactose may be found in foods such as baked goods, breakfast cereals, and instant potatoes. This eMedTV segment talks about hidden lactose and explains how it is even found in some prescription and over-the-counter medications.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, one of the current goals of lactose intolerance research is to find out if new approaches are safe and effective. This page focuses on the goals, accomplishments, and safety of lactose intolerance research.
