Do You Suffer From Lactose Intolerance?
Posted By Author on October 15, 2021
Dairy is a common ingredient in many foods – much to the dismay of those who suffer from lactose intolerance. In fact, there is a large population of people who experience digestive issues after consuming dairy products. In fact, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, about 65% of people are “somewhat” unable to digest lactose.
While the condition can be hereditary and is often passed down from family members, you do not need to suffer in silence! Here at Charleston GI, our gastroenterologists provide a higher standard of caring, helping patients find relief through top-quality health care.
Suffer From Lactose Intolerance: What Are The Symptoms
The small intestine secretes lactase, an enzyme that plays a major role in the digestive system. When lactase encounters lactose, the carbohydrate found in dairy products, it breaks the sugar down into a form the body can use. But if your body does not produce enough lactase as it breaks down food, these symptoms are often the result:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Stomach “growling” or rumbling sounds
- Vomiting
Please note that these symptoms resemble many irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Your Charleston GI doctor should be able to help determine which condition is responsible for your symptoms.
How to Manage Your Symptoms
Our team of Charleston gastroenterology specialists can help you manage your symptoms through diet and lifestyle modification. While there is no cure for lactose intolerance, we will work with you to identify the specific foods that trigger issues in your digestive tract.
Many patients are asked to record the foods and beverages they consume, and to note the symptoms they experience throughout the digestive process. If your Charleston GI doctor determines that dairy is the culprit, be sure to avoid the following foods:
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Butter
- Cream
- Ice cream
- Sour cream
- Cheese
- Processed foods containing milk-based ingredients
Visit Your Charleston GI Doctors Today!
Our team at Charleston GI specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide range of digestive diseases and disorders – including patient who suffer from lactose intolerance. If you are experiencing painful symptoms in your gastrointestinal tract, we are here to help!
Your Charleston gastroenterology specialist may request an endoscopy to rule out a more serious condition. An endoscopy is a procedure involving a flexible tube (called an endoscope) with a camera on the end that gives your doctor a unique look at different parts of the digestive tract, like the esophagus and stomach.
Offering 4 convenient office locations in Summerville, Carnes Crossroads, Mt. Pleasant, and West Ashley, we can help. Charleston GI has several Endoscopy Centers, so scheduling is simple!
If you’re looking for a gastroenterologist near me, visit Charleston GI.
Get in touch today to make an appointment with one of our Charleston GI doctors – no referral needed!
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