If your lactose intolerance is genetic, you have the “primary” form of the condition. However, there are many causes to this condition. - Infections or inflammation of the digestive tract. Bacterial or viral infections in the gastrointestinal tract can interfere with normal lactase production, causing lactose intolerance for some time. - Stomach or intestinal surgery. Surgery can have a temporary or permanent effect on the ability to make lactase. - Irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease. These two chronic digestive diseases are accompanied by lactose intolerance in some patients. - Alcoholism. We’ve learned from experience and research that alcoholics have an elevated risk of lactose intolerance. - Drugs. It’s an unfortunate fact that drugs have side effects, of which lactose intolerance is but one of those side effects. Certain antibiotics and antiarthritis drugs in particular are linked to lactose intolerance; fortunately, it’s usually a temporary condition. - Radiation. Yet another unfortunate fact; radiation therapy in the area of the stomach or pelvis may cause lactose intolerance by damaging the tissues that produce lactase enzyme. - Prematurity. Although lactose intolerance is uncommon among newborn babies, it can occur, and premature infants are even more likely to have temporary bouts with this condition. Naturally, the symptoms of lactose intolerance occur after drinking milk, or eating or drinking foods made with milk; and the symptoms can linger for as long as half a day or more. If this happens to you, or if your digestive complaints vanish if you avoid milk or products with milk in them for a few days, you have what doctors call “presumptive evidence” of lactose intolerance. |
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