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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Lactose Intolerance

After my previous Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) incident and the recent Salmonella, the adults finally concluded that I am currently Lactose Intolerance to milk. I have been complaining of adominal pain, passing diarrhoea-like watery poops and walking around like a undernorished South African kid with a super bloated tummy. Seems like we have to go back to Lactose free milk for a couple of weeks until the lactase enzyme level recovers.

What is lactase enzymes?

The enzyme lactase breaks down milk sugar (lactose). Lactase enzymes are found in the mucus of the small intestine. They change the milk sugar into the absorbable compounds – glucose and galactose. If there is not enough lactase around, the lactose skips the usual digestive process and is partially broken down by the bacteria in the intestines. This fermentation process causes excessive wind, bloating and associated pain. Any undigested lactose is sent along the intestinal tract. Water is not removed from the faecal matter and diarrhoea is the result.
Extract from Disability Online

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