Some people can eat almost anything they want without upsetting their stomach. This is not the reality for a lot of people. Many get sick minutes to hours after consuming specific groups of food, such as dairy products.
Lactose intolerance is the inability of your small intestine to break down lactose into simpler sugars that can be absorbed into your bloodstream. You cannot increase your lactase production if you have primary or congenital lactase deficiency. However, you can control the symptoms of lactose intolerance with the following treatment options.
Dietary Changes
Your primary treatment for dealing with the symptoms of lactose intolerance is a change of diet. Always consult with a medical professional before cutting food from your diet to ensure that you are not missing out on essential nutrients.
Lactose-Free Diet
To help control your symptoms, you should refrain from eating foods with lactose. This means you’ll have to check food labels all the time, especially since lactose may be present in boxed, canned, and frozen foods. When reading labels, look out for the following ingredients:
- Butter
- Cheese
- Dry milk solids
- Nonfat dry milk
- Lactose
- Curds
Bread, cereals, salad dressings, cake and cookie mixes, and coffee creamers also contain lactose in small amounts. You may ask your doctor about alternatives to avoid the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Low-Lactose Diet
Alternatively, you may also only limit the amount of lactose in your diet. You will have to experiment with serving sizes and types of dairy products that your stomach can tolerate. For instance, some cheeses, like Swiss and cheddar, may not cause symptoms. Likewise, cultured milk products may also not affect your GI tract because the bacteria used to process the products naturally have the enzymes needed to break down lactose.
You may also only drink milk during meal times as other foods slow down the digestive process, which may decrease your symptoms.
Calcium-Rich Food
You will also need to increase your intake of calcium-rich foods because you will be limiting or taking out lactose from your diet. Dairy products are a great source of calcium, but it is not the only food group containing it. Other calcium-rich foods that you can eat are:
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Cereals
- Canned salmon or sardines
- Oranges
- Nuts and dried beans
- Milk alternatives
Your doctor may also prescribe you calcium and vitamin D supplements to make sure you are getting sufficient amounts into your body.
Lactase Enzyme Tablets or Drops
You may also take over-the-counter lactase enzyme tablets or drops. These may help you digest dairy without upsetting your stomach. The tablets are taken before you eat, while the drops are added to milk. Do note that these drugs may not help everyone with lactose intolerance, so make sure you consult your gastroenterologist before taking any. Inform your provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Precautions also apply to young children.
Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain our digestive health. You can find them in fermented foods like yogurt, but they are also available as dietary supplements. Probiotics are used for GI conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. Moreover, they can help your body digest lactose and are safe to take. Consult your doctor if this method can help with your symptoms.
Lactose Intolerance Treatment in Central Texas
There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but you can effectively control its symptoms with lifestyle changes, medicine, and appropriate guidance from a medical professional. Your gastroenterologist can help you properly deal with this condition.
The gastroenterologists of Austin Gastroenterology specialize in diagnosing, treating, and helping our patients control gastrointestinal problems like lactose intolerance. Our medical staff is committed to giving you the optimal care you need. We have 19 clinics in central Texas you can call or visit to help you with your needs. You may also use this secure online form to schedule an appointment with us. We aim to help you make your gut trouble-free!
