#HealthBytes: Five myths about lactose intolerance, busted!
Many people tend to avoid dairy products. While some people actually don't like the taste of milk, others might have been duped into believing that they are intolerant towards its contents. In simplest terms, lactose intolerance is the body's inability to digest natural sugar found in dairy items. So to help you out, here we bust five common myths about lactose intolerance.
Myth: It's the same thing as a milk allergy
People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest the sugar- lactose, present in milk, because their body doesn't produce enough of enzyme lactase, which is responsible for lactose breakdown. Its symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal. On the other hand, a milk allergy is the immune system's reaction to the proteins in milk. Symptoms could vary drastically from a rash to as extreme as anaphylaxis.
Myth: You are born with it
One is not essentially born lactose intolerant, though it is not impossible. It is quite rare for babies to be born with lactose intolerance due to a lack of lactase-production activity. This is known as congenital lactose intolerance as it is passed from one generation to the next, in a process in which both parents have to pass on the gene variant.
Myth: You can never have dairy
Having lactose intolerance doesn't mean you have to run away from milk and related products for the rest of your life. There are tons of lactose-free products available in the market, including the likes of lactose-free milk and other such items, which will give you all the required nutrition, without any side effects.
Myths: The symptoms are crystal-clear; No need to see doctor
A wide range of health conditions could lead to abdominal issues like gas, stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. So, before you throw all the dairy out of your house, get yourself tested for lactose intolerance, and then take a call. Your symptoms might also indicate a more serious underlying health condition, so it becomes vital to see your doctor, when you witness the signs.
