Title: What Is Lactose Intolerance? Overview & Symptoms
Headings: What Is Lactose Intolerance?
What Is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose Intolerance Is Very Common And Treatment Includes Avoiding Milk Products
What Is Lactose Intolerance?
Who Gets Lactose Intolerance?
Symptoms
What Does Lactose Intolerance Have to Do With IBD?
Diagnosis
Treatments
Watch That "Hidden" Lactose!
But Don't I Need To Get Calcium From Milk?
Daily Calcium Guidelines
The Bottom Line
Non-dairy calcium-rich foods

Content: What Is Lactose Intolerance? Lactose intolerance 1 ﻿ is caused by the body's inability to digest milk sugar, or lactose. In order to break lactose down into simple sugars, or monosaccharides, the body must produce the enzyme called "lactase," which is produced in the small intestine. Without lactase, the lactose from milk products is unable to be digested. This causes the symptoms of gas, cramps and diarrhea that many people experience after eating or drinking dairy products. 2 ﻿
Lactose intolerance is a condition that normally develops over time. 3 ﻿ After a person reaches about 2 years of age, the body begins to produce less of the enzyme lactase. The reasons for this are not understood. It is rare for an infant to be born lactose intolerant, which can cause vomiting and a "failure to thrive." 4 ﻿ Symptoms of lactose intolerance can appear years after childhood.