Synonyms
Lactose malabsorption, lactose intolerance, lactose intolerance, alactasia, lactose deficiency syndrome : lactose intoleranceLactose intolerance is the deficiency or complete absence of the enzyme lactase, which is needed for the correct digestion of the milk sugar contained in milk (lactose, beta-galactose-1,4-glucose). Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk and is present in varying concentrations in cow’s milk (4.7g/100ml) or in breast milk (7g/100ml). Looking at the European population, 5% of the sugar (carbohydrates) consumed daily is lactose.
This is due to the fact that lactose is naturally found not only in milk but also in many products made from milk and also in many finished products. Between 80 and 90% of people worldwide are affected by lactose intolerance. South of the Sahara or in China almost all people have this enzyme deficiency. In Germany the rate of people suffering from lactose intolerance is about 15 – 20 percent.
What are the signs of lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance manifests itself through various symptoms. These classically include digestive problems such as flatulence, diarrhoea and cramp-like abdominal pain. How severe the symptoms are depends on the personal profile of the person affected.
Some people are very sensitive and react with severe symptoms, while others show milder forms. The amount of lactose ingested also plays a role. Here, it is not only the quantity of milk products consumed that is important, but also what proportion of lactose the product contains.
Condensed milk, for example, contains significantly more lactose than normal milk. The proportion of lactose in milk even depends on whether it comes from the cow or from goat or sheep. The complaints only occur when consuming lactose-containing drinks and food.
If these foods are not consumed, the patient will have no symptoms if he/she is otherwise healthy. When the symptoms occur varies, sometimes they appear after 15 minutes or only after hours. In addition to the typical digestive complaints, there are also other, very unspecific symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Those affected describe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, skin changes or depressive moods. Lactose intolerance should be differentiated from a milk allergy by special diagnostics and from irritable bowel syndrome by exclusion. How severe the symptoms are depends on the personal profile of the person affected.
Some people are very sensitive and react with severe symptoms, while others show milder forms. The amount of lactose ingested also plays a role. Here, it is not only the quantity of milk products consumed that is important, but also what proportion of lactose the product contains.
Condensed milk, for example, contains significantly more lactose than normal milk. The proportion of lactose in milk even depends on whether it comes from the cow or from goat or sheep. The complaints only occur when consuming lactose-containing drinks and food.
If these foods are not consumed, the patient will have no symptoms if he/she is otherwise healthy. When the symptoms occur varies, sometimes they appear after 15 minutes or only after hours. In addition to the typical digestive complaints, there are also other, very unspecific symptoms of lactose intolerance. Those affected describe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, skin changes or depressive moods. Lactose intolerance should be differentiated from a milk allergy by means of special diagnostics and by excluding it from the so-called irritable bowel syndrome.