[Meta Description: Lactose intolerance pain can be very uncomfortable. You should know how to stop lactose intolerance pain. You should have a lactose-free diet, take alternative dairy products that don’t have lactose, or take supplements.]

Have you felt uncomfortable after drinking milk? Did you have diarrhea, vomiting tendency, or even abdominal pain afterwards? Then most likely you are suffering from lactose intolerance. If you are wondering how to stop lactose intolerance pain, then there are many options available. You should first know what lactose intolerance is and how you can make sure that you don’t suffer from such pain again.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance pain is a very common problem and affects millions of people around the world.  It occurs because of a lack of sufficient lactase, an enzyme that is found in the small intestine. This enzyme is essential for digesting lactose. So, those who don’t have this enzyme find it difficult to digest milk-based food.

Lactose is the sugar that is found in the milk. The lactase helps to break down this sugar so that it can be absorbed by the body through the intestine. But if you suffer from lactose intolerance, the lactose doesn’t break down and goes to the colon instead of getting absorbed by the body. In the colon, the lactase mixes with bacteria and ferments causing bloating, gas or diarrhea.

How to test for lactose intolerance?

There are two tests available for testing whether you have lactose intolerance or not. One is the breath test that measures the levels of hydrogen when you breathe out. If the level is high, then you have lactose intolerance. Hydrogen is present when the lactose gets broken down in the colon instead of by the intestine. The second test is the blood test. It will determine how your body reacts after consuming food containing lactose.

How to stop lactose intolerance pain?

You shouldn’t worry much if you find out that you are suffering from lactose intolerance pain. There are many ways you can get relief.

•    The best way to overcome this problem is to have a lactose free diet. Lactose is found in the dairy products. So, you should check for the ingredients before consuming any food item. One disadvantage of having a lactose-free diet is that you will have a lack of important vitamins and nutrients in your body. You can take lactase enzyme supplements to cover up this nutrient deficiency.
•    If you consume food that contains lactose, then take lactase enzyme supplements, like protein powders for lactose intolerant, along with it as well. You can get these supplements in the form of tablets or syrup. This supplement will break down the lactose. You should make sure that you take the lactase supplements at least 20 minutes before a meal.
•    There are various dairy products that do not contain lactose. So, you can consume those products. These include soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, lactose-free butter, peanut butter, etc. Calcium is present in the dairy products that are good for your bones and teeth. If you take lactose-free dairy products, then your body won’t have a calcium deficiency, and you won’t suffer from lactose intolerance pain as well.
•    Take over-the-counter antidiarrheal. You should talk to a pharmacist or doctor before taking medicine.

Conclusion

Lactose intolerance doesn’t have any definite cure. You need to have lactose-free diet and lactase enzyme supplements to stop lactose intolerance pain. If you see symptoms of lactose intolerance in children then you should consult a doctor before bringing any changes to the diet. Dairy products are very important for the children. So, the doctor will suggest a diet plan so that they don’t have any deficiency of calcium or any important vitamins in their body.