HomeHealth TopicsMetabolic ProblemsLactose Intolerance
Back to Metabolic Problems
Lactose Intolerance
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Metabolic Problems

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a common, non-serious condition where the body cannot digest the sugar found in milk, often managed through dietary changes or supplements.

Overview

Lactose intolerance means that you cannot digest foods with lactose in them. Lactose is the sugar found in milk and foods made with milk. After eating foods with lactose in them, you may feel sick to your stomach.

Symptoms

If you have lactose intolerance, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Swelling in your stomach

Diagnosis

Your doctor may do a blood, breath, or stool test to find out if your problems are due to lactose intolerance.

Treatment & Management

Lactose intolerance is not serious. Eating less food with lactose, or using pills or drops to help you digest lactose, usually helps. You may need to take a calcium supplement if you don't get enough of it from your diet, since milk and foods made with milk are the most common source of calcium for most people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of dairy without symptoms. Hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan, yogurt with live cultures, and lactose-free milk are often well-tolerated. You can also take lactase enzyme supplements before eating dairy to help your body digest the sugar. It is best to experiment slowly to find your personal tolerance level.
You can obtain calcium from non-dairy sources such as leafy green vegetables (like kale and broccoli), canned sardines or salmon with bones, tofu made with calcium sulfate, and fortified plant-based milks or orange juice. If your diet does not provide sufficient calcium, your doctor may recommend a calcium supplement to prevent bone density loss.
No, they are different conditions. Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue where your body lacks the enzyme to break down milk sugar, causing gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating. A milk allergy is an immune system reaction to milk proteins, which can cause hives, swelling, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Lactose intolerance is not dangerous, whereas a milk allergy can be life-threatening.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss