Title: Can Lactose Intolerance Develop with Age? Manhattan Gastroenterology
Headings: Can Lactose Intolerance Develop with Age?
Can Lactose Intolerance Develop with Age?
Symptoms
Other Causes
Solutions

Content: To properly digest lactose, you need a sufficient amount of an enzyme called lactase, which is produced in the lining of your small intestines. The lactase breaks down the milk-based sugars into galactose and glucose. These forms of sugar then get absorbed into your bloodstream and used for energy. Symptoms
Just because you have a lactase deficiency, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll ever develop lactose intolerance. Even people who do have the condition don’t always develop digestive symptoms. Lactose intolerance develops over time, and the symptoms become much more noticeable as you age. The main symptoms include: Gas
Bloating
Nausea, often accompanied by vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramps
Any and all symptoms should be diagnosed by your gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Lactose intolerance can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic those of other digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and GERD. Your Manhattan gastroenterologist may ask you to eliminate milk products for a period of time to see if your symptoms subside.