Lactose intolerance how long does pain last

It can certainly be a frustrating experience, especially if the source was unexpected for instance, hidden dairy in bread or pasta. Why do some of us have lactose intolerance? Our ancestors actually lacked a genetic mutation needed to allow them to properly digest dairy. Centuries of persistent dairy intake in the form of cheeses, yogurts, and other products, however, have enabled most of us to digest dairy enough to be considered lactose tolerant.

Essentially, the small intestine cannot properly break down the lactose in dairy, which causes gastrointestinal distress. Your body needs an enzyme called lactase in order to properly break down lactose. In individuals who are lactose intolerant, there is not enough lactase in their system to properly digest lactose. For instance, instead of swearing off dairy for good, it is suggested that you undergo an elimination diet, where you take certain dairy products out of your diet one at a time to see if undesirable symptoms lessen or worsen.

In addition to dietary changes, there are some over-the-counter remedies that can help your digestive system properly break down the lactose in the food you eat. Cramping, bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea are no fun alone or in combination with one another. Unfortunately, symptoms from lactose intolerance can last up to 48 hours depending on the amount of lactose you have ingested.

The onset of initial symptoms usually occurs within half an hour to two hours of ingestion. Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually develop within a few hours of consuming food or drink that contains lactose.

The severity of your symptoms and when they appear depends on the amount of lactose you have consumed. Some people may still be able to drink a small glass of milk without triggering any symptoms, while others may not even be able to have milk in their tea or coffee.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be similar to several other conditions, so it's important to see your GP for a diagnosis before removing milk and dairy products from your diet. If your GP thinks you have lactose intolerance, they may suggest avoiding foods and drinks containing lactose for 2 weeks to see if your symptoms improve.

The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase. This breaks down lactose into 2 sugars called glucose and galactose, which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. People with lactose intolerance do not produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system, where it's fermented by bacteria.

This leads to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Depending on the underlying reason why the body's not producing enough lactase, lactose intolerance may be temporary or permanent.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you frequently have symptoms of lactose intolerance after eating dairy foods, particularly if you're worried about getting enough calcium. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine doesn't produce enough of an enzyme lactase to digest milk sugar lactose. Normally, lactase turns milk sugar into two simple sugars — glucose and galactose — which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.

If you're lactase deficient, lactose in your food moves into the colon instead of being processed and absorbed. There are still no established findings why the symptoms of lactose intolerance manifest differently across the patients who suffer from this food sensitivity , but experts hypothesise the different levels of gut bacteria present in our bodies, as well as genetics, may be affecting the way the symptoms present themselves.

The time it takes for the symptoms to appear vary, but experts place it from 30 minutes to two hours after you have ingested products that contain lactose such as milk and other dairy products.

The severity of your symptoms is also directly proportional to the amount of lactose you have consumed: higher levels of lactose consumption would naturally result in more severe symptoms. This means having higher levels of lactase can help minimise the discomfort these symptoms bring. Keep in mind that there is no standard time for food digestion and elimination in humans, so there is no universally-accepted answer to this frequently asked question.