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Lactose intolerance
Lactose
intolerance is the inability to digest and absorb the milk sugar lactose.
Normally the upper small intestinal lining produces the enzyme lactase
that splits lactose into 2 readily absorbable forms of sugars. When lactose
is undigested, bacteria within the intestine ferment the sugar. This produces
gas and lactic acid, which causes abdominal bloating, flatulence and diarrhea.
Lactose enzyme supplements are readily available over-the-counter and
can solve the problem in most people.