How to judge the degree of lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a kind of non-infectious diarrhea. Because of the low secretion of lactase, lactose in breast milk or milk cannot be completely digested. Most of them are genetic mutations caused by different eating habits.

Although many people have symptoms of flatulence and diarrhea after drinking milk, not all discomfort or other adverse reactions caused by drinking milk are caused by lactose intolerance.

So, how do you know if you are lactose intolerant? The following methods are commonly used in clinic:

1. Hydrogen breath test is an authoritative and effective method for detecting lactose intolerance at present. Take 5 grams of water-soluble lactose after fasting for one night. Lactose intolerance does not decompose lactose, so intestinal bacteria metabolize lactose, producing hydrogen and methane, which are detected in the subject's breath. The test lasts about 2 to 3 hours, and the gas content in the breath is measured every 1 to 15 minutes. Normal people will get a horizontal curve, while people who are lactose intolerant will show a peak, that is, after 1-2 hours of lactose intake, the gas content will increase significantly by 5%-1%.

2. The lactose tolerance test is a less sensitive alternative to the doctor's evaluation of the symptoms after lactose intake, and it is rarely carried out now. After taking a certain amount of lactose, the doctor monitored the symptoms and measured the blood sugar level several times. People who can digest lactose have no symptoms and have elevated blood sugar levels. People who can't digest lactose will have diarrhea, bloating and discomfort within 2 to 3 minutes, and their blood sugar level will not rise.

3. Small intestine biopsy confirmed the results of hydrogen breath test, and observed the existence of lactase in small intestine.

Although genetic lactose intolerance is inevitable, efforts can be made to avoid symptoms. At the same time, we should have a regular diet, pay attention to food hygiene, and avoid acquired infection caused by lactose intolerance. After all, unfortunately, anyone who likes to drink milk is sentenced to lactose intolerance.

if you have symptoms similar to lactose tolerance, don't simply consider avoiding contact with milk. Because lactose also exists in many other foods, once symptoms appear, they should be diagnosed as soon as possible to determine whether they have lactose intolerance, and then pay attention to avoid contact with various foods rich in lactose, and you can eat a small amount of dairy products for many times.