Lactose Intolerance in Connecticut

Lactose intolerance is a result of the body’s incapacity to generate, or a shortage in, the generation of lactase. A couple of the main reasons that the body might not be able to yield enough lactase to help break apart lactose are:

Primary Lactose Intolerance

Primary lactose intolerance is the most common form of lactose intolerance and is a result of age. As you age, the less lactase your body develops. This type of lactose intolerance might partially get passed through hereditary factors and develops in certain people to a greater extent than others. As indicated by the food intolerance network, milk intolerance occurs in 5 – 17 percent of Europeans, nearly 44 percent of Americans, approximately 50 percent of Hispanic/Latino people, and 60 – 80 percent of Asians and Africans.

Secondary Lactose Intolerance

Secondary lactose intolerance generally occurs when the duodenum (small intestine) is damaged due to sickness, trauma, surgery, or more serious problem like Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease. This is because the generation of lactase slows when the duodenum becomes bloated. Treatment of the disorder could reinstate the purpose of the small intestine (duodenum) and restore lactase levels to normal.

For additional information about lactose intolerance, contact a Connecticut GI location near you to request an appointment with a GI specialist who can address the condition. Our GI team can offer knowledgeable tips and information on how to live with lactose intolerance.