In case of lactose intolerance it is normal to have symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas and headache after drinking milk or eating some food made with cow's milk.
Lactose is the sugar present in milk that the body cannot properly digest, but there is another problem, which is milk allergy and, in this case, it is a reaction to milk protein and the treatment is also the exclusion from the food diet. containing cow's milk. If you want to know more about milk allergy click here.
If you think you may be gluten intolerant, check your symptoms:
- 1. Swollen belly, abdominal pain or excessive gas after consuming milk, yogurt or cheese Yes No
- 2. Alternating periods of diarrhea or constipation Yes No
- 3. Lack of energy and excessive tiredness Yes No
- 4. Easy irritability Yes No
- 5. Frequent headache that arises mainly after meals Yes No
- 6. Red spots on the skin that can itch Yes No
- 7. Constant pain in the muscles or joints Yes No
These symptoms usually appear when drinking cow's milk, but they may not appear when eating dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese or ricotta, because the lactose in these foods is present in a smaller amount, however, in the most sensitive people even butter, sour cream or condensed milk can cause very intense symptoms.
Symptoms in the elderly and the baby
The symptoms of lactose intolerance in the elderly are more frequent because, with age, the enzyme that digests lactose naturally decreases, but it is also possible to see symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies that are very similar to those of adults, with colic, diarrhea and abdominal swelling.
It is also common for symptoms of lactose intolerance to appear in adults, as a large part of the population, especially blacks, Asians and South Americans, is deficient in lactase - which is the enzyme that digests lactose.
How to treat lactose intolerance
To treat lactose intolerance it is recommended to exclude the consumption of whole cow's milk and all foods that are prepared with cow's milk, such as pudding, yogurt and white sauces.
Watch the video to learn how to eat in case of lactose intolerance:
A good solution for those who have lactose intolerance but have not yet been diagnosed is to stop drinking milk for 3 months and after drinking again. If symptoms return, it is likely to be intolerant, but your doctor may recommend tests to prove intolerance. Find out what tests you can do at: lactose intolerance tests.
