What kind of milk should adults with lactose intolerance drink?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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If an adult is lactose intolerant and allergic to drinking milk, they must drink milk that has undergone some special treatment. If it is not specially treated, drinking it can easily cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea from drinking milk may also be due to an allergy to a component of the milk. If that is the case, it is necessary to improve allergen detection and try to avoid drinking milk. If diarrhea is caused by poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, some medications that regulate intestinal flora can be used for supportive treatment.

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Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
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What to eat for lactose intolerance as supplementary food?

Children with lactose intolerance should avoid adding foods containing lactose when introducing solid foods. Additionally, you can make some food at home for the baby, such as cooking thin porridge, boiling noodles for the baby, mixing a lumpy soup, etc. You can also give the baby small amounts of fruits and vegetables, but they need to be cut into small pieces or juiced before feeding. The main treatment for lactose intolerance is dietary therapy, which involves avoiding foods containing lactose to effectively control and alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies, such as milkshakes, cheese, and other dairy products which should not be fed to the baby.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can lactose intolerance still lead to weight gain?

Lactose intolerance refers to a condition where the body lacks lactase enzyme, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating after consuming dairy products. It does not have a direct correlation with the ability to gain weight, because aside from dairy products, there are many other foods that a person can eat. If someone is lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy, they can still eat many other things, which can also contribute to weight gain. Therefore, individuals with lactose intolerance can still gain weight, as there is no direct relationship between lactose intolerance and obesity.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What should I do if lactose intolerance makes me feel like vomiting?

People with lactose intolerance often feel nauseous and should avoid drinking milk. If they must drink milk, it needs to undergo special treatment first. Consuming untreated milk can lead to diarrhea in lactose-intolerant individuals, and severe cases may result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Additionally, those with lactose intolerance should also check for any milk allergies or diarrhea caused by indigestion. It is essential to conduct allergen tests and, if necessary, take oral medication to regulate the digestive system.

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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 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.