What is hypolactasia?

Lactose, Vitamins, Hypolactasia, Diagnosis

A food intolerance is a repeated adverse reaction to a specific food. Every time the food to which there is an intolerance is eaten, the same reaction occurs. Lactose intolerance is not a food allergy, but is an intolerance to. lactose - the sugar in milk - due to lack of a ferment (enzyme) in the lining of the intestine. (Allergy to the protein in milk does occur and such people cannot take milk). Milk is a very nourishing food, rich in protein, calcium and vitamin D which .are important for the development of strong bones and teeth. Milk also contains a naturally occurring sugar called lactose. Like all sugars, lactose is a good source of energy. The body cannot absorb lactose until it is broken down into two component sugars which can then pass from the gut into the blood stream. The body uses a ferment (enzyme) called lactose in the lining of the small bowel to break down the lactose to the two sugars of which it is composed. Some people get upsets from milk and the most common reason for an upset is lactose intolerance.

What is hypolactasia?

Hypolactasia is the medical term for having less lactase than normal. If there is little or no lactase in the lining of the gut:

lactose is either not digested or only partially digested;
lactose remains in the gut and can cause diarrhoea, bloating or stomach cramps, the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

How common is hypolactasia?

A small number of people have congenital alactasia. This means they don't have any lactase at all, even from birth. These babies therefore cannot digest lactose which is present in breast milk and standard infant milks. Most adults had normal amounts of lactase as a child but lactase production gradually declines as they get older, though hypolactasia can occur at any age. Lactase tends to decline more rapidly and completely in some people originating from Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia or the Mediterranean area. Lactose intolerance can occur after a bout of gastro-enteritis. This is because gastro-enteritis damages the lining of the gut where lactose is produced. This is often referred to as secondary lactose intolerance and is usually temporary. It may also be associated with untreated coeiiac disease (gluten sensitivity).

How is hypolactasla/lactose intolerance diagnosed?

Often it is obvious by the description of the problem. read more