Abdominal bloating, pain, or crampsBorborygmi (rumbling or gurgling sounds in the stomach)DiarrheaFlatulence, or gasNausea, which may be accompanied by vomiting
Lactose intolerance, on the other hand, is usually harmless, though the symptoms can be very uncomfortable. Severity of symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the amount of lactose you are able to handle. However, people can generally manage the condition by avoiding dairy products.
Lactose Intolerance Tests
A simple method to see if you might be lactose intolerant is the so-called milk challenge. Drink a glass of milk after not consuming any dairy products for several days; if you experience the hallmark symptoms of lactose intolerance listed above, you likely have the condition. Your doctor also has a number of tests to see if you are lactose intolerant, including:
Hydrogen breath testLactose intolerance blood testIntestinal biopsyStool acidity test
The hydrogen breath test is a simple and generally accurate technique to diagnose lactose intolerance. Your doctor will ask you to drink a liquid with a known amount of lactose in it, and then later have you breathe into a device that measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath. If you’re lactose intolerant, the bacteria in your intestines will digest the sugar and release the hydrogen and methane that the device can detect. Two hours after you drink a lactose solution, your doctor will draw and test your blood for glucose, a sugar produced when lactase breaks down lactose. If your glucose levels didn’t rise or raised little, it means your body isn’t digesting the lactose. A gastroenterologist will use a long, thin surgical tool called an endoscope to take a sample of the lining of your small intestine. The sample will then be tested for lactase activity. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch.
