Can massage therapy adjust lactose intolerance?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Lactose intolerance cannot be managed through massage, and patients with lactose intolerance still need to take appropriate treatment measures to eliminate symptoms and avoid nutritional deficiencies. For primary lactase deficiency, it is advocated to reduce lactose intake, and for congenital lactase deficiency, lifelong lactose abstention is necessary. However, for patients with secondary lactose intolerance, treatment should be based on the underlying disease. For example, if Crohn's disease has caused secondary lactose intolerance, treatment with medications like mesalamine or sulfasalazine salicylate is necessary. (Please use medications under the guidance of a 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.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Do infants with lactose intolerance need to switch to a different formula?

Whether to switch formula for infants with lactose intolerance should be assessed based on the specific condition of the baby. If the baby's symptoms of lactose intolerance are mild, they can be managed by adding lactase and probiotics. However, if the baby has had diarrhea for a long time, frequent bowel movements, and also shows signs of reduced urine output, decreased skin turgor, and lethargy, it indicates a more severe dysfunction in the digestive system. In this case, it is necessary to switch to lactose-free formula to prevent exacerbation of gastrointestinal dysfunction. It is also important to pay attention to the baby's food hygiene and hand hygiene in daily life, especially during the peak season of diarrhea in autumn. It is advisable to get vaccinated in advance to prevent the transmission of other digestive system diseases.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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What kind of formula should a baby with lactose intolerance drink?

If a child is lactose intolerant, parents can go to a maternity and baby store to pick a lactose-free infant formula. Lactose intolerance is due to a deficiency or insufficient activity of lactase in the small intestinal mucosa, which results in the inability to completely digest and break down the lactose in breast milk or cow's milk. Common symptoms may include weeks of diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Primary lactose intolerance is usually caused by genetic factors, while secondary lactose intolerance is generally caused by gastroenteritis. When a child exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, parents need to improve the child's diet and switch to a lactose-free infant formula, which not only ensures the child's nutritional intake but also alleviates the condition of lactose intolerance. If necessary, they should visit a formal hospital for relevant examinations and treatment.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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How to regulate diarrhea caused by infant lactose intolerance

Children with lactose intolerance exhibit symptoms of diarrhea and must be treated through diet and medication. Lactose intolerance indicates an insufficient secretion of lactase by the child's digestive system. Therefore, the diet should consist of light, liquid, and easily digestible foods, avoiding hard-to-digest and lactose-containing foods. Additionally, dietary adjustments are necessary. If the child is breastfed or formula-fed, it is advisable to temporarily switch to lactose-free formula until symptoms subside and then gradually return to a normal diet. It is also important to use probiotics and related supportive medications. Attention should be paid to the child's stool, skin turgor, and urine output, as prolonged diarrhea can lead to malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances, with severe cases possibly resulting in dehydration. Hence, ongoing monitoring is essential.

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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.