Learning to Live with Lactose Intolerance

When your daughter complains of stomach pain after eating certain foods, you may believe it is indigestion. However, if milk, pizza, ice cream and other foods containing dairy products are causing the pain, your child may suffer from lactose intolerance.

According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 30 million Americans have some level of lactose intolerance by age 20, and the condition can develop as early as age two. Lactose intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to produce enough lactase, the enzyme required to break down the lactose present in most dairy products. As a result, the undigested lactose remains in the colon and begins to ferment, causing uncomfortable symptoms that include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Nausea

“The good news is unlike other digestive conditions, lactose intolerance does no physical harm to the body if left undiagnosed,” said Deborah Neigut, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Children's Hospital Colorado. “However, once an assessment is made, a pediatric gastroenterologist can gauge the severity of your child’s intolerance and begin creating a solution to help control his or her symptoms.”

Making a Diagnosis

The most common way to diagnose lactose intolerance is by administering a hydrogen breath test. This test detects if the body produces hydrogen gas after the patient drinks a lactose solution since undigested lactose causes this gas to form. Lactose intolerance also can be diagnosed through endoscopy, a more invasive procedure.

“It can be especially tricky to diagnose young children with lactose intolerance as they often have a difficult time describing their symptoms,” Dr. Neigut said. “However, because lactose intolerance may run in some families, there is an increased likelihood that if you have the condition, your child will have it as well.”

Helping Your Little One Adjust

Here are some tips for helping your child learn to live with lactose intolerance:

• Choose reduced-lactose or lactose-free milk.
• Purchase dairy-free foods that are rich in calcium, such as broccoli, beans, tofu, soymilk and calcium-fortified juices for added nutrition.
• Give your child a lactase enzyme supplement just before he or she consumes dairy.
• Select yogurts with active cultures because they are easier to digest.
• Teach your child to read food labels carefully before making food choices.

“Your child should not have to completely avoid foods containing lactose,” Dr. Neigut said. “A few simple lifestyle adjustments can help your child enjoy his or her favorite foods without discomfort.”

For more information about lactose intolerance, visit www.childrenscolorado.org.