Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Lactose Intolerance.
This problem involves an inability to digest lactose (a disaccharide sugar that is
found most notably in milk and is formed from galactose and glucose). The inability
to digest lactose is caused by inadequate levels of the enzyme lactase, which is
produced by the cells that line the small intestine walls.
The enzyme lactase normally breaks down lactose into less complex substances that
are more easily absorbed.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (March 2006). "Lactose Intolerance".
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health.
Types of Lactose Intolerance.
Primary lactose intolerance. Environmentally induced when weaning a child in non–dairy
consuming societies.
Secondary lactose intolerance. Environmentally induced, resulting from certain gastrointestinal
diseases.
Temporary lactose intolerance. A common cause is gastroenteritis, (particularly when
the gastroenteritis is caused by rotavirus). Another form of temporary lactose intolerance
is lactose overload in infants.
Congenital lactase deficiency. A genetic disorder which prevents enzymatic production
of lactase. Present at birth, and diagnosed in early infancy.
