Lactose Intolerance in New Orleans, LA
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Find a ProviderWhat is lactose intolerance?
The condition of lactose intolerance is highly common among U.S. patients. Lactose (milk sugar) is the dominant carbohydrate in milk and additional dairy products. Your body may be “intolerant” of lactose because it won't generate an adequate amount of the enzyme lactase to break down lactose.
Lactase is an intestinal enzyme made in the small intestine that helps you digest lactose. Lactose intolerance is a nonthreatening condition but it can cause unpleasant symptoms depending on your body’s level of intolerance. Some patients reference lactose intolerance as a dairy allergy.
If you or a member of your family need help with lactose intolerance in New Orleans, LA, our gastrointestinal specialists can assist. Request a consultation at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates and let our knowledge and expertise guide you on the right path toward a healthier life.
What is the cause of lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a result of your body’s inability to make, or a deficiency in the creation of, lactase. Some of the major reasons why your body may not be able to generate a sufficient amount of lactase to assist in the breakdown of lactose are:
Primary Lactose Intolerance
Primary lactose intolerance is the more frequent kind of lactose intolerance and is a result of age. The more you age, the less lactase your body generates. This variety of lactose intolerance might partially be passed through family lines genetically and affects certain individuals to a greater extent than other people. According to the food intolerance network, milk sugar intolerance impacts 5 – 17% of Europeans, roughly 44% of Americans, around 50% of Latino/Hispanic individuals, and 60 – 80% of Asians and Africans.
Secondary Lactose Intolerance
Secondary lactose intolerance usually occurs when the duodenum is impaired because of a sickness, injury, surgical procedure, or more challenging issue like Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease. This is due to the production of lactase lowering when the duodenum (small intestine) becomes swollen. Treatment of the disorder could restore the purpose of the small intestine (duodenum) and revive lactase amounts to their typical levels.
To request more information about lactose intolerance, contact a Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates location in your area to connect with a gastrointestinal specialist who focuses on the condition. Our GI providers can give professional advice and information on how to best treat lactose intolerance.
What are the signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance?
The symptoms of lactose intolerance can differ for each person depending on the amount of lactase they can generate. Some of the typical signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance involve:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Occasional constipation
- Nausea
- Abdominal spasms
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Should you endure any or all of the specific symptoms mentioned here, our gastrointestinal providers in New Orleans, LA can help to find a remedy that works best to elevate your GI health.
How is lactose intolerance treated?
In most instances, if you happen to be lactose intolerant, the ideal solution is to avoid dairy goods altogether. There is currently no way to rise lactase production in the body, so the goal of treatment is to refrain from encountering the symptoms that result from consuming lactose. If you consider lactose intolerance as a dairy allergy, that could help guide you in the choices you make.
Other therapies and ways to manage lactose intolerance that our New Orleans, LA GI providers can offer include:
- Prebiotics and probiotics
- Lactase enzyme supplements
- Include small servings of dairy goods into your meals to build tolerance
- Consume lactose-reduced dairy items
To discuss the optimal treatment options for you to combat your lactose intolerance, request a consultation with a board-certified digestive health specialist by contacting your local Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates.
Ease your symptoms with expert care
If your lactose intolerance becomes overwhelming, let our expert gastrointestinal specialists at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates intervene and provide solutions. We can establish a treatment program to help you rediscover your GI health so that you may keep on doing the activities you love. To find care for lactose intolerance in New Orleans, LA, please connect with our team today to request an appointment with a GI specialist in your community.
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