Lactose intolerance - is not just a allergic reaction to milk. Lactose intolerance - the inability of enzyme systems intestine cleave lactose (milk sugar). This failure is due to congenital or acquired lack of activity of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced by cells of the small intestine.

Intolerance of milk sugar (lactose) spread very widely, and not always it should be regarded as a disease to be treated. Too many cannot tolerate lactose, but not tested in this regard, any discomfort, because do not use it for food and often do not realize its enzymatic features. The greatest significance of the problem of lactose intolerance is for young children, because they have milk - a staple food.

Lactose is the main carbohydrate of milk, which consists of glucose and galactose. The splitting of the lactose this monosaccharide occurs in the boundary layer of the small intestine by the enzyme lactase.

What causes lactose intolerance?

By origin allocate:

Primary deficiency of the enzyme lactase, versions of which are:

Innate (genetically determined) lactase deficiency;

Transient (transient) lactase deficiency premature and immature at the time of birth.

Secondary lactase deficiency, where the reduction in the activity of the enzyme lactase is associated with damage to cells of the small intestine (entrecotes) any acute or chronic illness. Such damage may entrecotes in infectious (intestinal infection), immune (intolerance to cow's milk protein), inflammation of the intestine and other painful conditions.

On severity, lactase deficiency is divided into partial or complete.

In cases where the activity of the enzyme lactase is insufficient to digest all received in the small intestine, lactose, unsplit lactose (milk sugar) into a greater or lesser amount enters the large intestine, where it becomes a breeding ground for various microorganisms. They split it up fatty acids, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen and water, which leads to irritation of the bowel and the appearance of watery stools. It should be noted that the flow of small amounts of lactose in the form of undigested into the colon in term neonates is important for the formation of the normal intestinal microflora, but an excess of lactose leads to serious negative consequences.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance depend on the number of produced lactase. Symptoms usually begin within 30 minutes - 2 hours after eating dairy products. The main symptoms of lactose

Intolerance, are:

Bloating

Pain and cramps

Collywobbles

Gaza

Diarrhea

Vomiting

If you feel constant discomfort after a glass of milk, ice cream or other dairy products, this may indicate lactose intolerance. Sometimes symptoms appear or increase with age.

Lactose intolerance is usually transmitted genetically, and its symptoms develop in adolescence and adulthood.

In rare cases, newborns are lactose intolerant. These symptoms include profuse frothy stool, diaper rash, vomiting, dehydration, weakness, irritability, slow weight gain.

If you suspect that you have lactose intolerance, consult with your doctor. He will conduct inspection and to exclude other conditions that cause similar symptoms: irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and an overdose of laxatives.