Not enough of an enzyme called lactase in the small
intestine to digest lactose, a prominent comp onent of milk and most other dairy
products. Lactose is sometimes also used as an ingredient in other foods, so anyone
with lactase deficiency should check food labels with care.
Most people are born with the ability to make adequate amounts of lactase, but
lactase production tends normally to go down with age, more so in some persons than
others. There are significant differences in lactase production among different
ethnic groups.
Inadequate lactase production can cause difficulty digesting lactose-containing
products, which include dairy products themselves and any foods containing dairy
products as ingredients.
The most common symptoms of lactase deficiency are diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
The diagnosis of lactase deficiency may be made by a trial of a lactose-free diet
or by special testing.
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