ANSWER: Lactose intolerance isn't a true allergy, and it can develop at any age. In some people, lactose intolerance may be triggered by another medical condition, such as Crohn's disease. In others, it develops without a specific underlying cause.

Can you become lactose intolerant all of a sudden?

It's a chronic condition that currently has no cure. It's possible to become lactose intolerant all of a sudden if another medical condition—such as gastroenteritis—or prolonged abstinence from dairy triggers the body. It is normal to lose tolerance for lactose as you age.

Can you automatically become lactose intolerant?

You can develop lactose intolerance at any age. It could be triggered by a condition, such as Crohn's disease or gastroenteritis. This can result in your small intestine producing an inadequate supply of lactase.

How do I know if I developed lactose intolerance?

Here are the 5 most common signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance.

1. Stomach Pain and Bloating. Share on Pinterest. ...
2. Diarrhea. Diarrhea is defined as increased stool frequency, liquidity or volume. ...
3. Increased Gas. ...
4. Constipation. ...
5. Other Symptoms.

What are the 4 types of lactose intolerance?

Types of lactose intolerance

• Primary lactose intolerance (normal result of aging) This is the most common type of lactose intolerance. ...
• Secondary lactose intolerance (due to illness or injury) ...
• Congenital or developmental lactose intolerance (being born with the condition) ...
• Developmental lactose intolerance.

Can You Develop Lactose Intolerance Later in Life?

16 related questions found

What does lactose intolerance poop look like?

Without lactase, the body can't properly digest food that has lactose in it. This means that if you eat dairy foods, the lactose from these foods will pass into your intestine, which can lead to gas, cramps, a bloated feeling, and diarrhea (say: dye-uh-REE-uh), which is loose, watery poop.

Why am I just now becoming lactose intolerant?

Too little of an enzyme produced in your small intestine (lactase) is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. You can have low levels of lactase and still be able to digest milk products. But if your levels are too low you become lactose intolerant, leading to symptoms after you eat or drink dairy.

Can you develop a milk allergy later in life?

It is unusual to develop an allergy to milk proteins later in life. However, the development of lactose intolerance tends to increase with age. Symptoms include bloating, pain, gas, diarrhea or gastroesophageal reflux.

What causes lactose intolerance later in life?

But as you get older, your lactase levels can start to decline, which means there's nothing stopping the lactose you consume from going to your colon undigested, where bacteria break the sugars down and create excess gas and fluid in the process. It's common to develop a lactase deficiency in adulthood.

Is there a test to see if you are lactose intolerant?

A hydrogen breath test is a simple way of determining if you may be lactose intolerant. You'll be asked to avoid eating or drinking during the night before the test. When you arrive for the test, you'll be asked to blow up a balloon-like bag.

What age does lactose intolerance develop?

Lactose intolerance can develop at any age. Many cases first develop in people aged 20 to 40, although babies and young children can also be affected.

How can you test for lactose intolerance at home?

Stool Acidity Test

First, avoid milk and lactose-containing foods for several days. Then on a free morning, such as a Saturday, drink two large glasses of skim or low-fat milk (14-16 oz). If symptoms develop within four hours, the diagnosis of lactose intolerance is fairly certain.

Will lactose intolerance go away?

There's no cure for lactose intolerance, but most people are able to control their symptoms by making changes to their diet. Some cases of lactose intolerance, such as those caused by gastroenteritis, are only temporary and will improve within a few days or weeks.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance in adults?

The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are belly cramps and pain, nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. There is no treatment that can help your body make more lactase. You can manage your symptoms by changing your diet. Or you can take enzyme supplements when you eat or drink foods that have lactose.

How common is being lactose intolerant?

Lactose intolerance is very common in adults. It is rarely dangerous. About 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20. In white people, lactose intolerance often develops in children older than age 5.

Is it possible to become lactose intolerant as you get older?

It's fairly common to notice the signs of lactose intolerance appear as you get older, says Christine Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “This enzyme production can decrease over time in some people, so most people can experience some degree of lactose intolerance as they get older,” Lee says.

Can you eat pizza if you are lactose intolerant?

You may be able to tolerate certain lactose-containing foods while other people with lactose intolerance can enjoy different foods. Everyone is different. Lactase enzyme also comes in pill form, and can be taken before eating a meal that contains milk products, such as pizza or macaroni & cheese.

Why does milk upset my stomach but not cheese?

You cannot digest lactose because you do not have enough lactase enzyme. The small intestine needs lactase enzyme to break down lactose. If lactose is not digested, it can cause gas and stomach cramps.

What happens if you're lactose intolerant and you keep eating dairy?

Without enough of the lactase enzyme, your body can't metabolize dairy, leading to digestive problems like diarrhea, abdominal cramping or pain, bloating, gas, nausea, and sometimes even vomiting about 30 minutes to two hours after eating it.

What foods are high in lactose?

Foods high in lactose include:

• Milk (nonfat, 1%, 2%, whole)
• Evaporated milk.
• Condensed milk.
• Buttermilk.
• Milk powder.
• Ice cream.
• Yogurt.
• Cottage cheese.

Does lactose cause weight gain?

Lactose intolerance is a real issue for many people and its degree of severity varies case by case. It can adversely affect your gut and produce symptoms of discomfort, but it is unlikely to be the cause of weight gain.

What's the difference between dairy intolerance and lactose intolerant?

If you are missing the enzyme lactase then you will be “lactose intolerant”. Symptoms of lactose intolerance are abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea usually within 30-120 minutes after eating dairy products. A dairy allergy occurs when a person has an immune reaction to the protein in dairy: casein or whey.

What foods to avoid if you are lactose intolerant?

Here are some dairy products that you may want to avoid as part of a lactose-free diet:

• milk — all types of cow's milk, goat's milk, and buffalo milk.
• cheese — especially soft cheeses, such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and ricotta.
• butter.
• yogurt.
• ice cream, frozen yogurt, and dairy-based sherbet.
• buttermilk.

What percentage of the world is lactose intolerant?

Up to 65 percent of people in the world are unable to digest lactose, with that number rising to 90 percent within certain ethnic groups. Data show that approximately 79 percent of Native Americans are lactose intolerant.

Is lactose intolerance more common in females?

Women aged between 25 and 34 have the nation's highest incidence of lactose intolerance, followed by those from the 35-49 age bracket. These female groups are up to four times more likely to suffer from the condition than the corresponding age groups among men.