Title: Lactose Intolerance (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth
Headings: Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance
Who Gets Lactose Intolerance?
What Happens When Someone Has It?
How Do Doctors Diagnose It?
Living With Lactose Intolerance

Content: As people get older, their bodies usually stop producing  the lactase enzyme, and most people will naturally become lactose intolerant over  time. What Happens When Someone Has It? People with lactose intolerance may have a variety of symptoms. It all depends  on how much dairy or how many milk-containing foods the person eats and how little  lactase the body produces. Usually within 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating, someone with lactose intolerance  will experience nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. This can be unpleasant,  not to mention embarrassing if you're at school or out with friends. Because many people may think they're lactose intolerant when they really aren't,  it helps to see a doctor who can diagnose the condition correctly and advise you on  ways to manage it. How Do Doctors Diagnose It? If your doctor thinks you might be lactose intolerant, he or she will take your medical history by asking about any concerns and symptoms you have,  your past health, your family's health, any medications you're taking, any allergies  you may have, and other issues. Your doctor will also do a physical exam.