Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a gastrointestinal disease in which there occurs deficiency of an enzyme named lactase which hydrolyzes lactose to its components galactose and glucose. In the absence of this enzyme named lactase, lactose cannot be hydrolyzed and hence, it goes to colon where it is fermented by bacteria causing various gastrointestinal symptoms of lactase deficiency.

Causes-

1.      Primary lactase deficiency is genetic that is inherited.
2.      Damage to the small intestinal mucosa brush border.
3.      Increased gastrointestinal transit time.
4.      Coeliac disease.
5.      Tropical sprue.
6.      Crohn’s disease.
7.      Giardiasis.
8.      Viral gastroenteritis.

Symptoms-

1.      Abdominal pain.
2.      Flatulent abdomen.
3.      Diarrhoea after ingesting milk or milk products.

Investigations-

1.      Hydrogen breath test.
2.      Jejunal biopsy.

Do you know about- Coeliac Disease 

Non Ulcer Dyspepsia