Milk is one of the most common sources of nutrients, but for some people, it can be difficult to digest due to the lactose. It is a type of sugar found naturally in milk and dairy products. This can lead to two different problems: lactose allergy and lactose intolerance.
How is lactose allergy and lactose intolerance different?
lactose allergy is an immune system response to milk protein, which can lead to a allergic reaction ranging from mild to severe.
As for lactose intolerance, it is a condition in which the body does not produce enough lactase, an enzyme that helps digest lactose. Unlike lactose allergy, intolerance is not an immunological reaction and is not life threatening. Treatment of lactose intolerance involves avoiding dairy products or taking lactase in pill, liquid, or capsule form before eating dairy products.
You can have low lactase levels and still be able to digest dairy products. However, if the levels are too low, lactose intolerance occurs, and symptoms will begin to appear after eating dairy products.
Milk allergy appears most often in the first year of life, while lactose intolerance usually appears later.
What are the symptoms?
In the case of having a lactose allergy, the most common symptoms include swelling, rash, nausea and vomiting. If you have a lactose allergy, your doctor may recommend that you avoid dairy products and take calcium supplements.
In the case of being intolerant, its ingestion can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas and abdominal distension after consuming dairy products.
Is being lactose intolerant the same as being milk intolerant?
Lactose intolerance is different from milk intolerance. The latter is an allergy to milk proteins rather than lactose and can cause symptoms similar to lactose intolerance. Treatment may include simply avoiding dairy products and consuming alternative sources of protein and calcium.
In any case, if symptoms are experienced after consuming milk or dairy products, it is important to consult your doctor who will determine if you have a lactose allergy or intolerance.
How does it diagnose?
The main tests to find out if you are lactose intolerant are a blood test or a hydrogen breath test.
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