Frequent Diarrhoea May Not Be Caused Only by Lactose Intolerance

People who frequently experience diarrhoea or digestive discomfort after drinking milk may assume that they are lactose intolerant. Because the symptoms are often temporary and not usually life-threatening, many people ignore them.

However, recurring diarrhoea may not be caused by lactose intolerance alone. It may also be associated with other forms of food intolerance that develop gradually and affect long-term quality of life.

This article from N Health explains the differences between lactose intolerance and delayed reactions to food.

Lactose Intolerance vs. Food Intolerance

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme required to digest lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.

When lactose is not properly digested, it passes into the large intestine, where gut bacteria ferment it. This may cause:

๐ Abdominal pain or cramping

๐ Diarrhoea

๐ Bloating

๐ Excessive gas

๐ A rumbling stomach

Lactose intolerance is generally not life-threatening. Some people may tolerate small amounts of milk or dairy products without developing symptoms.

The condition is common among adults, and its severity may vary over time.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance generally refers to difficulty digesting or processing certain foods. Unlike a classic food allergy, symptoms may not appear immediately and may develop several hours after eating.

Possible symptoms include:

๐ Abdominal discomfort

๐ Bloating

๐ Diarrhoea or constipation

๐ Excessive gas

๐ Nausea

๐ Fatigue

๐ Headaches

๐ Joint discomfort

๐ Skin irritation or rashes

Because these symptoms are varied and may appear slowly, many people find it difficult to identify which foods are triggering them.

What Is a Delayed Food Reaction?

A delayed reaction to food may occur when the digestive system has difficulty breaking down or absorbing certain ingredients.

When food is not properly digested, it may be fermented by bacteria in the intestines. This can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms such as:

๐ Abdominal discomfort

๐ Irritable bowel symptoms

๐ Bloating

๐ Diarrhoea

๐ Abdominal pain

๐ Excessive intestinal gas

These reactions differ from immediate food allergies, which usually involve the immune antibody IgE and can cause rapid symptoms such as hives, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, or anaphylaxis.

Immediate food allergies can be life-threatening and require urgent medical attention.

How Can You Determine the Cause?

One of the simplest first steps is to observe your symptoms and keep a daily food diary.

Record information such as:

๐ What foods and drinks you consumed

๐ When you drank milk or ate dairy products

๐ When the symptoms began

๐ How long the symptoms lasted

๐ Whether you experienced diarrhoea, bloating, pain, nausea, or other problems

๐ Whether symptoms improved when a particular food was avoided

This information can help a doctor assess possible triggers and determine which tests may be appropriate.

Depending on the suspected cause, medical evaluation may include:

๐ A lactose hydrogen breath test

๐ A temporary lactose-elimination trial

๐ Blood or stool tests

๐ Testing for gastrointestinal infections

๐ Screening for coeliac disease

๐ Evaluation for inflammatory bowel disease

๐ Assessment for irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive conditions

Testing for Reactions to Food

Some healthcare programmes offer blood tests that measure IgG responses to a wide range of foods, including:

๐ Dairy products

๐ Eggs

๐ Meat and poultry

๐ Fish and seafood

๐ Vegetables and fruits

๐ Herbs and spices

๐ Grains and wheat

๐ Nuts and seeds

N Health offers a programme that examines IgG responses to 222 foods to help identify possible dietary patterns for further assessment.

However, test results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional and considered together with symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic findings. A positive IgG result alone does not necessarily confirm that a particular food is causing illness.

Summary

Frequent diarrhoea may result from lactose intolerance, another food intolerance, infection, irritable bowel syndrome, medication, or a different gastrointestinal condition.

Consult a healthcare professional if the symptoms:

๐ Occur frequently or persist for several weeks

๐ Interfere with work or daily activities

๐ Cause unexplained weight loss

๐ Occur with fever or severe abdominal pain

๐ Include blood or black stool

๐ Lead to dehydration or significant weakness

A proper medical assessment can help identify the cause more accurately than repeatedly removing foods from the diet without guidance.

 

Reference :

N Health Asia Blog Lactose VS Food Intolerance

ArokaGO Providers N Health