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Lactose intolerance

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Lactase deficiency; Milk intolerance; Disaccharidase deficiency; Dairy product intolerance

Symptoms:

• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Slow growth
• Abdominal distention
• Diarrhea
• Floating stools
• Foul-smelling stools

Symptoms often follow eating or drinking milk products, and are often relieved by withdrawal of milk products. Large doses of milk products may cause worse symptoms.

Signs and tests:

• Test for stool-reducing substances
• Lactose tolerance test
• Lactose-hydrogen breath test
• Small bowel biopsy

• Review Date: 10/13/2006
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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