Stomach discomfort or bloating after consuming milk or processed products, such as cheese and yogurt, can be a sign of lactose intolerance. Although there is no cure, lactose intolerance is harmless and can be addressed in several ways.
Lactose intolerance occurs because the digestive tract does not produce enough lactase enzymes. This enzyme is needed to process lactose, which is a sugar that is in milk.
Lack of enzyme lactase in digestion can be caused by genetic factors, certain diseases, such as infection or inflammation of the intestine, sores or scars in the small intestine, and congenital abnormalities from birth.
Causes of Lactose Intolerance
Normally, the enzyme lactase breaks down lactose in milk into glucose and galactose in the small intestine. The two types of sugar are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.
However, if the small intestine lacks the enzyme lactase, lactose cannot be processed and absorbed. These substances will continue to move towards the large intestine. In the large intestine, lactose is fermented by bacteria to produce excessive acids and gases. This is what causes symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can appear 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming drinks or foods containing milk. Symptoms that can appear include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach ache
- Bloated
- Stomach bells
- Discard the wind continuously
- Diarrhea
The severity of symptoms that appear depends on the amount of lactose consumed. Symptoms may also vary from person to person. There are those who immediately experience abdominal pain or heartburn even though they only drink a little milk, some are okay as long as the amount consumed is not too much.
Tips on Addressing Lactose Intolerance
If you can't drink milk because you suffer from lactose intolerance, don't be afraid or worry about calcium deficiency. Your daily calcium needs can be met by relying on calcium food sources, such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk, bok choy, spinach, fish, beans, and broccoli.
But if you want to keep consuming milk and its processed products, here are some steps you can take:
- Try a little dairy products that you will consume, to see your body's reaction.
- Choose products labeled "lactose free" or "slightly lactose". Some dairy products, such as yogurt, have low levels of lactose and may still be tolerated by the body.
- Consumption of milk along with other foods, to slow down the digestive process of milk and reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance.
- Take lactase enzyme supplements, to help the body digest lactose.
- Consumption of probiotics, to help the body digest lactose.
- Record the food and drinks consumed every day. This is to make it easier for you to recognize the limits of consumption of dairy products and the body's response after consuming them.
If you show symptoms of lactose intolerance after consuming milk or its processed products, you can see a doctor for further consultation.
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