How to test for lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is more common than you might think; it can even develop once you're an adult. It can be difficult to spot lactose intolerance, so it's important to get tested to rule out any other food allergies or problems.

Lactose intolerance quite simply means your body cannot properly digest lactose, which is a sugar commonly found in cow's milk.

• If your intestines don't produce lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, then dairy products can be very difficult to digest.
• Lactose intolerance usually produces a number of symptoms in the digestive tract, including bloating, diarrhea, gas, belly pain and cramping.

One of the best ways to find out if you are lactose intolerant is to ingest a dairy product such as vanilla ice cream without any other food and wait to see if you have belly pain or severe gas within a half an hour or so. Although many lactose-intolerant people can digest small amounts of lactose, they definitely notice if they ingest too much dairy food.

If you suspect you have lactose intolerance, it's important to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Some tests your doctor might preform are:

1. Hydrogen breath test: This test involves drinking a specially formulated lactose drink a few times over a period of two to four hours. If you have lactose intolerance, hydrogen accumulates in your intestines and makes its way to your breath. If high levels of hydrogen are detected, it's likely you'll be diagnosed with lactose intolerance.
2. Lactose tolerance test: When your intestines break down lactose, blood sugar usually increases. After ingesting a lactose drink, a blood sample is taken to measure your blood sugar level. If you have lactose intolerance, your blood sugar will likely be low.
3. Stool acidity test: This test is popular for babies and children, and measures the acidity of the stool. If the stool is acidic, it usually leads to a diagnosis of lactose intolerance.

Even if you can't digest cow's milk products, remember that other milk products from animals like goats or sheep may be easier to digest. Ultimately, getting tested can help you understand if you truly have lactose intolerance.

Unfortunately, no sure-fire treatments are currently available for lactose intolerance. It's recommended that those with this food allergy avoid dairy products as much as possible and see a doctor to rule out any other possible issues.