Lactose Intolerance in Texas
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Find a ProviderWhat is lactose intolerance?
Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk and other dairy products. A person's body can be “intolerant” of lactose because it can't produce enough lactase to break down the lactose. Lactase is a digestive enzyme that is produced in the small intestine and helps digest lactose.
Lactose intolerance is a harmless condition but it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms depending on how intolerant you are. To learn about lactose intolerance in Texas, request a consultation at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you in the right direction toward a healthier life.
What causes lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to produce (or a deficiency in the production of) lactase. There are two forms of lactose intolerance:
Primary Lactose Intolerance
Primary lactose intolerance, the most common type of lactose intolerance, is due to age. As you get older, your body produces less lactase. This form of lactose intolerance can be passed on genetically. According to the food intolerance network, lactose intolerance affects 5 – 17 percent of Europeans, approximately 44 percent of Americans, approximately 50 percent of Latino/Hispanic people, and 60-80 percent of Africans and Asians.
Secondary Lactose Intolerance
Secondary lactose intolerance generally occurs when the small intestine is impaired due to an illness, injury, surgery, or a condition like Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease. This occurs because the production of lactase decreases when the small intestine becomes inflamed.
To learn more about lactose intolerance, contact a Texas Digestive Disease Consultants location near you to request a consultation to learn more about lactose intolerance treatment in Texas.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the amount of lactase they are still able to produce. Some common symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Occasional constipation
If you experience any of the symptoms above, contact a Texas Digestive Disease Consultants location near you to request a consultation with a provider who can help you find a treatment that works for you.
What are the treatments for lactose intolerance?
The best thing to do if you are lactose intolerant is to avoid dairy altogether. There is no way at this time to increase lactase production, so the main focus of treating lactose intolerance is to prevent your discomfort by not consuming lactose. Sometimes it helps to treat lactose intolerance as a dairy allergy to help you avoid the temptation.
Other possible treatment solutions include:
- Lactase enzyme supplements
- Probiotics and prebiotics
- Introducing small servings of dairy products into your meals to build tolerance
- Consume lactose-reduced or lactose-free dairy products
Contact a Texas Digestive Disease Consultants location near you to get care for lactose intolerance so you can get the relief you need.
Let go of lactose discomfort
Lactose intolerance is something many people have heard of. It's when a person's body does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase to break down lactose from dairy products. This can lead to bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and more. While there is no way to increase lactase production, it is possible to find relief from this discomfort by learning what triggers the pain and how to avoid it. At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, we aim to teach our patients about lactose intolerance in Texas so they can live their life with less discomfort. For more information or to request a consultation, contact a location near you.
Reviews
Dr. Herdman is an excellent physician. I highly recommend Dr. Herdman for any GI issues. I thought I was lactose intolerance. After a detailed consultation Dr. Herdman recommeded a few extra test. Come to find out I had several gallstones and needed a gallbladder removal. Dr. Herdman has patience and is a concerned physician of your health. He understands questions and concerns. Later, when I turned 50 I went back to Dr. Herdman for my colonoscopy. Easy and smooth recovery! Thank you Dr. Herdman and staff!
I love my gastroenerologist. He has always gone above & beyond for me since I started seeing him 6 years ago. If you are having stomach issues, Dr. Steven Pearce is an amazing doc to have on your side. He keeps at it until he can fix it. Love me Dr. Pearce.
Dr. Lee is extremely well versed in his specialty. He takes time with his patients, listens intently and has several options for treatment.
I generally like this doctor, but when my husband was experiencing long term explosive diarrhea he didn't suggest staying away from milk because of possible lactose intolerance. We decided to try on our own, and that solved the problem.
The staff is very capable, and they get you into your appointment and very good timing without a lot of waiting around the doctor is very thorough and treats you with respect.
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