LACTOSE INTOLERANCE IN NIGERIANS- SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND TREATMENT

Do you often feel bloated, nauseous, or experience stomach pain, gas, diarrhoea or cramps after drinking milk or eating foods that contain dairy products? If you do, you might have a condition called lactose intolerance. According to research carried out in southern Nigeria in 1971, it was estimated that about 84% of Yorubas, 82% of Ibos, and 60% of Hausa and Fulanis (the four major ethnic groups in Nigeria) have lactose intolerance.

WHAT IS LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
Lactose intolerance, otherwise called lactose malabsorption, means that your body cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in all milk, including breast milk, cow milk and dairy products, e.g. yoghurt, etc. Our bodies use an enzyme called lactase to break down that sugar so that we can absorb it into our bodies. But people with lactose intolerance don’t have enough lactase and cannot absorb lactose, so the unabsorbed lactose passes through the intestine without being digested and irritates the intestine, which causes bloating, gas and diarrhoea.
The condition isn’t harmful, but it can be uncomfortable and may be embarrassing

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HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
Watch out for the following symptoms if you suspect you might have it.
 

Stomach pain
 

Bloating
 

 Diarrhoea
 

Increased gas (farting)
 

Constipation (hard stools, stomach discomfort, excessive straining to pass stools)

 Other symptoms like; headache, weakness, weight loss, dehydration.
If you experience any of the above symptoms 30 minutes to 2 hours after you drink milk or eat dairy products. You should talk to your doctor and confirm if you have lactose intolerance.
WHAT IF I HAVE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
It cannot be prevented, and there is no absolute cure for it. But it can be treated. Limit
the number of foods and drinks that contain milk and dairy products. You can also take lactase enzyme supplements(visit your doctor) to help you digest lactose.
But remember, if you limit milk and dairy products in your diet, you may not get enough calcium, riboflavin, protein and vitamin D. So, get vitamin D and calcium-rich foods, e.g. oranges, vegetables, beans, etc.

HOW TO CONFIRM IF I HAVE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE (TESTS)
There are several tests that can investigate if a person has lactose intolerance.

 CLINITEST TABLET: This is when a small amount of your stool is mixed with water, and then a special tablet is added and checked for colour change. This is used when temporary lactose intolerance is suspected after acute diarrhoea.

 HYDROGEN BREATH TEST: This tests the amount of hydrogen gas in your breath. People with lactose intolerance have higher levels of hydrogen in their breath. This is because hydrogen is given off when lactose is broken down in the intestines.

BLOOD TEST: You will drink a liquid that contains a lot of lactose and 2 hours later, the amount of glucose in your bloodstream will be measured. If your glucose level doesn’t rise, you are not digesting lactose in the drink, which means you are lactose intolerant.

STOOL ACIDITY TEST: This test measures the amount of lactic acid in the stool, which is caused by the breakdown of undigested lactose.This test is mostly done for babies and children

HOW IS LACTOSE INTOLERANCE TREATED?

Decrease the amount of milk or dairy products you consume.
Add a liquid or powder lactase enzyme to your milk to break down lactose. E.g Lactase enzyme drop (Note; this is not readily available in Nigeria)

REFERENCES

Lactose intolerance. (2015). Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7317-lactose-intolerance
Tricia Kinman. (2020). What is a lactose tolerance test? Healthline
https://www.healthline.com/health/lactose-tolerance-tests
Lactose intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy (2021) WebMD
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/lactose-intolerance-or-dairy-allergy
Dr Rotimi Adesanya. (2019).How to manage lactose intolerance in children. Punch newspaper.https://punchng.com/how-to-manage-lactose-intolerance-in-children-2/
D.A Olatunbosun MB; BS and Kwasu Adadevoh MD. (1971) Lactase deficiency in Nigerians.The American Journal of Digestive Diseases:16, 909-914. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02238172

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