Lactose Intolerance is the body's inability to digest large amounts of lactose, which is the major sugar found in milk. There are several lactose intolerance symptoms, in adults, teens, and newborn babies. There is are also several tests to determine a person's intolerance, as well as several treatments. The causes of the condition are also well known.

Lactose Intolerance Symptoms in Adults and Newborns
The symptoms of this disorder in adults can vary widely. They include: bloating, painful cramping, rumbling and gurgling sounds in the stomach, gas, nausea, vomiting and loose stools. The most common form of lactose intolerance is adult lactose intolerance, which generally develops in the teen and adult years. Once a person is lactose intolerant they have the condition for the rest of his or her life. Lactose intolerance can also appear rather suddenly, this is true as one gets older. The symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary greatly from person to person. This is because people's levels of lactose intake can vary greatly and also because the severity of lactase deficiency(the cause of lactose intolerance, which will be discussed in greater length) can vary from person to person. Many people misdiagnosis themselves as having the disorder after consuming dairy products one time and developing similar symptoms. Only a doctor can accurately diagnosis lactose intolerance. There are rare cases when a newborn baby are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance symptoms in newborns would include: severe diarrhea, foamy diarrhea, diaper rash, irritability, vomiting, and dehydration. Newborns with lactose intolerance have also been unable to gain weight at a normal rate.

There are three main tests use to diagnose lactose intolerance. They include: 1. Hydrogen Breath Test. This is the most accurate test available. A person will consume a liquid that contains lactose, and then breath into a machine. If hydrogen levels are high, a person may have lactose intolerance. 2. Lactose Tolerance Test. Blood sugar levels are tested after a person consumes a product that contains lactose. If a person's blood sugar level doesn't rise after a few hours, this can be a sign of lactose intolerance. 3. Stool Acidity Test. This test measures the amount of acid in a person's large intestine. If there is acid in the stool then a person may have trouble digesting lactose.

Once again, only a doctor can accurately diagnose lactose intolerance. The simplest way to treat lactose intolerance is to simply avoid dairy products all together. Other ways are to limit milk intake, or try eating dairy foods that contain lower levels of lactose such as cheddar or Swiss cheese. Eating food along with milk can also help reduce symptoms. There are also other products on the market that can be used as a substitute for milk that are naturally 100% lactose free such as soy milk, rice milk, oat milk or almond milk.

As mentioned before lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of lactase, which is produced in the small intestine. A person body requires lactase to break down the lactose found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance usually occurs for one of three reasons: 1. Congenital. This of course means that a person is genetically predisposed to the condition. It is generally diagnosed at birth. 2. Primary. This type of lactose intolerance is generally seen in parts of the world where commercialized dairy products are not widely available. 3. Secondary. This generally occurs after an illness such as gastroenteritis, which causes the body to stop producing lactase. Many times people can confuse the symptoms of lactose intolerance with other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel syndrome. Once again, only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.