How many times a day does lactose intolerance cause diarrhea?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Patients with lactose intolerance can have multiple bowel movements per day after consuming milk; a mild case can result in 3-4 bowel movements, while severe cases might lead to dozens, potentially causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. For lactose-intolerant patients who need to consume milk, it must be specially treated beforehand. Additionally, if diarrhea is caused by poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, certain medications that adjust the gut microbiota can be used to aid digestion, such as Bifidobacterium triple viable bacteria and Bacillus cereus, etc. If the diarrhea is caused by allergies, allergen testing should be conducted. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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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.

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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 Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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How to deal with nausea from lactose intolerance?

Patients with lactose intolerance who experience nausea can consider using some medications for symptomatic treatment. For example, they can use meclozine orally or by muscle injection. They may also use medications that promote gastric motility, such as domperidone, mosapride, and itopride, to treat impaired gastric motility. Patients with lactose intolerance may also experience bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Appropriate symptomatic treatments can be taken according to different symptoms. Lactose intolerance, if due to a secondary disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, requires active treatment of the primary disease. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Can infant lactose intolerance be self-healing?

Whether infant lactose intolerance can self-heal needs to be identified as either congenital or secondary. If it is congenital lactose intolerance, it means that the baby's own intestines cannot produce lactase, and thus the symptoms of lactose intolerance cannot be alleviated. However, secondary lactose intolerance, such as that caused by chronic diarrhea or infection which leads to a reduction in lactase, can be recoverable. The reduction in lactase production caused by chronic diarrhea does not mean that the intestines have lost their normal function to secrete lactase. Therefore, by using lactose-free formula or avoiding foods containing lactose, the normal intestinal flora can be repaired, achieving relief from the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Additionally, if there is a viral infection, particularly rotavirus infection-induced lactose intolerance, it can also be alleviated through dietary adjustments to promote the repair of the intestinal flora. Therefore, the treatment of lactose intolerance should vary from person to person, and it is important to identify early whether it is primary or secondary.