Lactose Intolerance in Phoenix, AZ

Lactose intolerance is a result of your body’s inability to make, or a deficiency in the creation of, lactase. A couple of reasons why the body is not able to generate enough lactase to help process lactose are explained below:

Primary Lactose Intolerance

Primary lactose intolerance is the most common variation of lactose intolerance and is a result of age. As you age, your body generates less lactase. This sort of lactose intolerance could partially be passed through hereditary factors and develops in certain people more often than other people. Per the food intolerance network, lactose intolerance occurs in 5 – 17% of Europeans, roughly 44% of Americans, around 50% of Hispanic/Latino people, and 60 – 80% of Africans and Asians.

Secondary Lactose Intolerance

Secondary lactose intolerance usually occurs when the small intestine (duodenum) is impaired due to a sickness, injury, surgery, or more severe problem like Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease. This is because the generation of lactase lessens when the small intestine becomes enlarged. Treatment of the disorder can revive the function of the duodenum and return lactase amounts to their normal levels.

To request more information about lactose intolerance, contact an Arizona Digestive Health location in your community to connect with a gastrointestinal specialist. Our providers will provide expert advice and information on how to best treat lactose intolerance.