What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products. It’s very common, affecting around two-thirds of the world’s adult population at minimum

This condition occurs if your body doesn’t make enough of the enzyme lactase, which you need to digest lactose

People with lactose intolerance experience digestive problems when they consume dairy, which can negatively affect their quality of life.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

The most common test for the diagnosis of lactase deficiency is the hydrogen breath test. This test is done at an outpatient clinic or doctor's office. In practice, many doctors will ask patients who suspect they have lactose intolerance to avoid milk and dairy products for 1 or 2 weeks to see if their symptoms subside, and will then confirm the diagnosis with the hydrogen breath test. The hydrogen breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in the breath after drinking a lactose-loaded beverage.

The most common test for the diagnosis of lactase deficiency is the hydrogen breath test. This test is done at an outpatient clinic or doctor's office. In practice, many doctors will ask patients who suspect they have lactose intolerance to avoid milk and dairy products for 1 or 2 weeks to see if their symptoms subside, and will then confirm the diagnosis with the hydrogen breath test. The hydrogen breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in the breath after drinking a lactose-loaded beverage.