Lactose intolerance is when a person can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk products. Taking in milk products then causes intestinal discomfort. Symptoms of lactose intolerance vary but may include:
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
Symptoms usually begin about 30 minutes to two hours after consuming lactose. The more lactose they eat, the worse the symptoms.
There are several ways a kid might become lactose intolerant. It’s usually to do with not having enough lactase. Lactase is an enzyme normally made in the small intestine.
Lactase breaks the double-sugar lactose into two smaller sugars that the body absorbs and uses for energy. If the body doesn’t break down the lactose, it travels to the large intestines. There, bacteria break it down, creating byproducts that irritate the gut. This can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms.
They include:
- Lactase deficiency: Some kids don’t make enough of the enzyme lactase. Most children are born with enough lactase, but levels can slowly drop over time. This often begins after age 5 and continues into the teen or adult years.
- Digestive diseases: Conditions like celiac or Crohn’s disease can damage the small intestine.
- Other causes of damage: Surgery, infection or inflammation can harm the small intestine.
- Reaction to a stomach virus: A common stomach bug can damage the small intestine.