I think I may be lactose intolerant

[ProfessorPickles]

Whenever I have milk, especially on an empty stomach, I get stomach ache and have a lose stool maybe an hour later.
I've just read about lactose intolerance online and it sounds like that may be the problem!

What happens if you do? Is there medication or do you just have to cut dairy out of your diet?

Hoping to get in at the doctors tomorrow!

The majority of the human race is lactose intolerant, so it's rarely something that needs medical attention.

The best way to confirm it is by exclusion, but that doesn't have to involve completely removing dairy from your diet, as Lactofree make lots of lovely products with the vast majority of the lactose taken out - ie milk, cream, cheese, soft cheese, yoghurts. obviously you'll have to read packets like mad and look out for any dairy (eg whey, dried skimmed milk) or lactose as an ingredient. It can be hidden in the most unlikely places eg bread, stock cubes etc.

If that relieves the problem, then great - you'll know to simply modify your diet in future. You can also buy lactase capsules from Holland and Barrett which are great when you need a bit more flexibility eg when eating out or you just really fancy that piece of cheese cake - just take one when you start eating.

Obviously, if you still have problems after a month or so, that's the time to see the doctor, because you'll have ruled out a simple, benign cause and there may be more going on eg milk protein allergies.

What the PP has said is true BUT some people are not intolerant to Lactose or 'just lactose', but other proteins in milk - so it's not just as simple as swapping to a lactose-free milk or whatever.

This website from an NHS/ private dietician has some info.

www.wisediet.co.uk

If you read the page on Lactose intolerance it says you need to decide if you are intolerant to cows milk or lactose- 2 different things and that's what I was trying to say above.

lactose is the sugar in milk. You can also have issues with the proteins in milk which would mean avoiding all dairy including lactose free products