Lactose Intolerance in Florida

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Lactose intolerance is highly common in the United States. Lactose (milk sugar) is the dominant carbohydrate in milk and additional dairy items. The body could be “intolerant” of lactose because it can't produce an adequate amount of the enzyme lactase to break down lactose.

A digestive enzyme, lactase is made in the duodenum (small intestine) that helps process lactose. Lactose intolerance is not a serious condition but it can lead to irritating symptoms based on your body’s intolerance levels. Some patients reference lactose intolerance as a milk allergy.

If you require assistance with lactose intolerance in Florida, our gastroenterologist providers can help. Request a consultation at Gasteroenterology Associates of Florida and let our knowledge and insight lead you in a positive direction toward a healthier life.

Lactose intolerance is a result of the body’s inability to make, or a shortage in the creation of, lactase. Two primary reasons why the body is unable to develop a sufficient amount of lactase to break apart lactose are:

Primary Lactose Intolerance

Primary lactose intolerance is the most common kind of lactose intolerance and is due to the aging process. The older you get, the less lactase your body generates. This type of lactose intolerance could be passed partially through family lines genetically and occurs in certain people more often than others. According to the food intolerance network, lactase deficiency occurs in 5 – 17 percent of Europeans, about 44 percent of Americans, roughly 50 percent of Hispanic/Latino individuals, and 60 – 80 percent of Africans and Asians.

Secondary Lactose Intolerance

Secondary lactose deficiency generally occurs when the small intestine is damaged due to an illness, injury, surgery, or a more difficult problem like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease. This is because the creation of lactase declines when the duodenum (small intestine) is enlarged. Treatment of the issue may revive the function of the small intestine (duodenum) and restore lactase amounts to their standard levels.

For additional information about lactose intolerance, connect with a Gastroenterology Associates of Florida location near you to request an appointment with a GI provider who offers treatment for the condition. Our team will provide professional tips and information on how to deal with lactose intolerance.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary for each individual depending on the amount of lactase they are able to produce. Some of the normal symptoms of lactose intolerance involve:

  • Gas
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Intermittent constipation
  • Vomiting

Should you have any or all of the outlined symptoms mentioned here, our GI physicians in Florida can help to determine a treatment solution that works the best for your GI health.

In most cases, the best solution if you are lactose intolerant is to refrain from consuming dairy products altogether. There is presently no way to increase lactase production in the body. Therefore, the focus of treatment is to refrain from the uneasiness associated with ingesting lactose. If you approach lactose intolerance as a dairy intolerance allergy, that can help steer you in the right direction.

Other solutions and answers for addressing lactose intolerance that our Florida GI providers might suggest include:

  • Putting small servings of dairy products into your meals to establish a tolerance
  • Probiotics and prebiotics
  • Buy lactose-reduced dairy products
  • Lactase enzyme supplements
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If your lactose intolerance becomes too hard to handle, let our expert gastrointestinal providers at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida step in to provide solutions. We can create a treatment approach to help you renew your GI health so that you can get back to doing the things you love. To find care for lactose intolerance in Florida, contact our team today to request a consultation.

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