Lactose intolerance

Question 1

What is lactose intolerance?

Answer 1

Difficulty with absorbing and digesting lactose
Usually as a result of your body not producing enough lactase
Lactase normally produced in your small intestine

Question 2

Cause of lactose intolerance?

Answer 2

After eating/drinking, digested food passes from stomach to small intestine
Lactase in small intestine metabolises lactose into glucose and galactase
If there’s not enough lactase, the undigested lactose moves to large intestine
Bacteria in the colon break down the lactose into fatty acids and gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane

Question 3

Congenital lactase deficiency

Answer 3

Found in newborns
Produce little or no lactase
Autosomal recessive gene (both parents)

Question 4

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

Answer 4

Flatulence
Diarrhoea
Bloated stomach
Stomach cramps/pain
Stomach rumbling
Feeling sick