Many people have problems when it comes to ingestion of milk. Some people have lactose intolerance, others, however, have allergy to the protein of milk. Next we'll talk about these two problems, which are very confused even by the people who have them.
→ What is lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a problem characterized by the difficulty in breaking down lactose (milk sugar). This happens due to the decrease in the action of an enzyme called lactase present in our intestine.
A person who has lactose intolerance usually has several intestinal symptoms which can occur soon after ingestion or after some time. Among the symptoms caused by lactose intolerance we can mention diarrhea, cramps, flatulence, bloated belly and gas.
Lactose intolerance usually occurs in adults and the elderly, and the problem is rare in children who are still breastfeeding. In this case, treatment will depend on lactose tolerance levels, and it is not necessary to exclude milk completely from the diet.
→ What is cow's milk protein allergy?
Allergy, unlike lactose intolerance, is a problem related to immune system. Our body reacts against the proteins found in milk, therefore causing reactions that go beyond the sdigestive system.
As signs and symptoms of milk protein allergy we can mention diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, blood in the stool, reflux, urticaria and even respiratory problems such as asthma and rhinitis. Symptoms may occur shortly after ingestion or may last for even days.
Milk protein allergy usually affects children and is rarely seen in adults. To treat the patient, in this case, it is necessary to remove all foods that contain milk from their diet.
→ But after all, what is the difference between lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy?
In a very simple way we can say that allergy is a reaction of the immune system, while intolerance is a deficiency of the lactase enzyme that breaks down milk sugar. While in allergy it is necessary to exclude milk from the diet, intolerance will depend on the tolerance levels of each patient. Furthermore, while intolerance leads to symptoms in the digestive system, allergy can affect different systems.
