If you happen to not react well to dairy items, you might want to consider the probability of being a victim of lactose intolerance.
Before you start freaking out, though, rest assured that this disorder is more common than you’d think. It’s also not lethal but can be pretty embarrassing, especially if you’re in the middle of meeting a special someone.
If you want to know if you’re one of those victims and are on the lookout for some information on what a lactose intolerance test is, read on.
What Is It?
You’ve probably heard this term here and there. But let’s dive into some technicalities.
Lactose intolerance is the term coined for the body’s inability to break down lactose efficiently. This digestive anomaly is due to the progressive decline in the manufacture of lactase, a digestive enzyme found mainly in mammalians.
Lactase has two active sites which cleave lactose into simpler sugars. As a result, the digestion of lactose makes it easier for the body to take up nutrients.
Lactose Intolerance: Hallmarks
Before getting a lactose intolerance test, you need to assess your current condition. A couple of symptoms you’re likely to experience include:
Stomach Soreness and Gas Build-Up
Unfortunately, stomachaches and bloating are prevailing manifestations of lactose intolerance. They’re not only highly distressing but also a little upsetting.
When the lactose isn’t digested, it’s transported to the large intestine, where certain kinds of bacteria ferment it and break it down into fatty acids. Unfortunately, these also happen to include gases such as methane and hydrogen.
The build-up of gas referred to as bloating, thus causes an uncomfortable and consistent pain in the lower stomach.
Constipation
Constipation is correlated with stomach pain and bloating; however, it’s also marked by firm and painful stools. In addition, because the bacteria present in the colon ferment the lactose, the by-product methane is released. This gas is known to decline the rate of food movement, thus resulting in constipation.
Other Markers
You might have thought that manifestations of lactose intolerance are limited to the gastric tract. However, that’s not true.
If you’re lactose intolerant, you may experience some of the following more frequently than not:
- Migraines
- Exhaustion
- Brain fog
- Joint, bone, and muscle pain
- Urinatory tract complications
- Eczema and frequent blistering
- Mouth ulcers
Ways to Test for The Disorder
If you report any of the above symptoms to your general physician, you’ll be asked to get a lactose intolerance test. There are a few different kinds of tests, including:
Hydrogen Breath Test
As mentioned previously, bacterial fermentation of lactose causes the release of hydrogen gas. This diagnostic tool is used to track the amount of hydrogen in your breath. Inflated levels suggest a positive result.
Blood Test
Before the test, your physician will request you to consume some lactose. Next, a sample of your blood will be screened for glucose levels. Low blood sugar levels indicate an inability to digest lactose and hence intolerance.
Bottom Line
Although the aftereffects of lactose intake may be reasonably distressing, rest assured that you can avoid them by altering your dietary habits.
