Lactose intolerance lacks what enzyme?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of lactase, which can lead to diarrhea when consuming dairy products. Thus, patients with this condition should avoid consuming milk powder, cow's milk, goat's milk, etc. If they must consume dairy, they should choose products that have been specially processed. Patients with lactose intolerance can drink rice soup, thin porridge, millet congee, and similar foods. It is also important for these patients to maintain dietary hygiene, avoid overeating, and avoid binge eating. Eating small, frequent meals to ensure a steady supply of nutrients is recommended.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Does lactose intolerance definitely not lead to weight gain?

Lactose intolerance does not necessarily affect body weight. Lactose intolerance merely causes symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating when consuming regular formula or cow's milk. If one consumes hydrolyzed formula or lactose-free milk powder, these symptoms, such as diarrhea, do not occur, and nutrients can be fully digested and absorbed. By ensuring adequate nutrition, this can lead to weight gain and obesity, rather than causing a person to be underweight.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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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.