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Lactose intolerance
How long does lactose intolerance self-heal?
Lactose intolerance may resolve on its own in some babies after the age of three, while others may not recover from it. Lactose intolerance primarily occurs because the secretion of lactase in the intestines decreases, leading to incomplete breakdown of lactose found in breastmilk or cow's milk. This results in symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion. There are two causes of lactose intolerance: one is congenital lactose intolerance, which requires long-term medication or avoiding dairy products as much as possible. The other cause is transient lactose intolerance due to infection, which generally improves about a month after treatment.
What should I do if I am lactose intolerant?
If lactose intolerance occurs, it is essential to adjust the diet and medication. Lactose intolerance can cause an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in stool characteristics in children. If it persists for a long time, it can lead to indigestion and malnutrition. In cases where the symptoms are not severe, reducing the intake of lactose-containing foods and adding lactase can help alleviate the symptoms. However, if the condition has been prolonged and is accompanied by complications such as malnutrition, it is advisable to temporarily stop the intake of formula and dairy products and feed lactose-free formula until the symptoms improve and then resume a normal diet. Lactose intolerance can be congenital or acquired, but the treatment method is through dietary control.
Does lactose intolerance cause constipation?
If a child has lactose intolerance, they usually do not experience constipation. Lactose intolerance typically refers to a deficiency of lactase in the small intestine mucosa of newborns, which leads to the impaired digestion and absorption of lactose in milk and causes related symptoms. The clinical symptoms mainly include diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain, often accompanied by increased bowel sounds and spasmodic diarrhea. In severe cases, dehydration, vomiting, or acidosis may occur. The stools are usually watery or frothy, acidic, and contain lactose. The child's weight usually does not increase, and symptoms such as malnutrition, anemia, and emaciation may occur. Constipation refers to reduced frequency of bowel movements, difficulty in defecating, or hard stools; lactose intolerance usually does not lead to such symptoms.
How to regulate diarrhea caused by infant lactose intolerance
Children with lactose intolerance exhibit symptoms of diarrhea and must be treated through diet and medication. Lactose intolerance indicates an insufficient secretion of lactase by the child's digestive system. Therefore, the diet should consist of light, liquid, and easily digestible foods, avoiding hard-to-digest and lactose-containing foods. Additionally, dietary adjustments are necessary. If the child is breastfed or formula-fed, it is advisable to temporarily switch to lactose-free formula until symptoms subside and then gradually return to a normal diet. It is also important to use probiotics and related supportive medications. Attention should be paid to the child's stool, skin turgor, and urine output, as prolonged diarrhea can lead to malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances, with severe cases possibly resulting in dehydration. Hence, ongoing monitoring is essential.
Can breastfeeding cause lactose intolerance?
Breast milk can also cause lactose intolerance, primarily because it also contains lactose, which plays an important role in the nutrition of infants, promoting the development of the brain's nervous system and providing energy for the growth and development of the baby. However, conditions such as rotavirus gastroenteritis or chronic diarrhea can trigger a dysbiosis of the gut flora, leading to insufficient secretion of lactase in babies. Once lactose intolerance occurs and is not alleviated in time, it can prolong the course of the baby's diarrhea, cause digestive and nutritional absorption disorders, often resulting in watery stools increasing in frequency, and the baby may also experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Therefore, in such cases, it is necessary to temporarily stop breastfeeding, administer lactase or switch to lactose-free formula milk for management, and resume normal diet once the symptoms are relieved.
Will baby lactose intolerance get better on its own?
Whether lactose intolerance in babies will resolve on its own depends on the severity of the symptoms. If the symptoms are mild, mothers should pay attention to a balanced diet, which may gradually lead to recovery. However, if the symptoms are more pronounced, it is necessary to visit the hospital promptly for diagnosis. If diagnosed with lactose intolerance, medication, such as lactase, may be required, and the medication should be administered according to the specific conditions of the child. For babies under six months who are exclusively breastfed, it is crucial for mothers to ensure a balanced nutrition. If the baby is over six months old, they should be fed foods that are easy to digest.
What kind of formula should a baby with lactose intolerance drink?
If a child is lactose intolerant, parents can go to a maternity and baby store to pick a lactose-free infant formula. Lactose intolerance is due to a deficiency or insufficient activity of lactase in the small intestinal mucosa, which results in the inability to completely digest and break down the lactose in breast milk or cow's milk. Common symptoms may include weeks of diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Primary lactose intolerance is usually caused by genetic factors, while secondary lactose intolerance is generally caused by gastroenteritis. When a child exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, parents need to improve the child's diet and switch to a lactose-free infant formula, which not only ensures the child's nutritional intake but also alleviates the condition of lactose intolerance. If necessary, they should visit a formal hospital for relevant examinations and treatment.
Does lactose intolerance cause mucus in the stool?
Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose, typically resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain after consuming dairy products. It is relatively common among Chinese people. Unlike lactose allergy, this condition only requires controlling the intake of lactose, rather than completely avoiding dairy products. This disease generally does not present symptoms like passing mucus. The presence of mucus in stool usually suggests the possibility of chronic colitis. In such cases, it is advised to undergo a colonoscopy to examine the intestinal mucosa for mucus attachment, or signs of hyperemia, erosion, or edema.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance refers to the symptoms of diarrhea caused by the difficulty in digesting lactose in human milk or cow's milk due to a deficiency of lactase in the body, also known as lactase deficiency syndrome. It is primarily seen in infants and young children who consume milk as their main food, with the highest incidence in China among children aged seven to eight years old. In cases of lactase deficiency, it is advisable to avoid using cow's milk or human milk. Instead, soy milk or sour milk can be used as substitutes, as they do not contain lactose, thus avoiding the phenomena of lactose intolerance.
Can lactose intolerance cause eczema?
Lactose intolerance generally does not cause eczema in patients. Lactose intolerance can be divided into primary lactase deficiency, secondary lactase deficiency, and congenital lactase deficiency. Patients with lactose intolerance mainly experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased bowel sounds, intestinal colic, and bloating. Some patients experience reduced intestinal motility, leading to constipation, and the severity of symptoms is related to the amount of dairy products consumed. Therefore, a small number of patients can tolerate a certain amount of dairy products without experiencing significant symptoms, and the specific tolerable amount varies from person to person.