Ailments & ConditionsYour Health

Lactose Intolerance – Diagnosis & Treatment

Lactose intolerance is a very common health issue in most parts of the world. It is estimated that up to 75 percent of people around the globe are affected by this digestive condition. The problem occurs when you consume dairy products containing a lot of carbs called lactose that the body cannot digest. This leads to abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, and many other symptoms. If left untreated, it would have many negative effects on the quality of life. Below are some common diagnostic methods and treatment options for lactose intolerance.

Lactose Intolerance Diagnosis

Food Diary

A simple way to diagnose lactose intolerance is to create a food diary that records your daily consumption of dairy products. Also, make sure to include any symptoms you experience during this time. Included information should specify the exact food, the size of each serving, time of eating, and other foods you eat with them. In the last column, you should also describe any signs after consuming these foods. Based on the provided information, your doctor or healthcare provider would make an initial diagnosis and determine which tests to do to confirm lactose intolerance. [1]