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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea And Abdominal Bloating
Question: Hello doctor,
I've experienced diarrhea (3 times in bathroom, while at work, today); bloating; and a general fatigue/sluggishness. Even morning coffee did not really help. I suspect strongly it is lactose intolerance. While I often drink tea or coffee with half-and-half, milk, or light cream, I usually do not experience LI symptoms unless I drink milk (say, 1 cup straight); eat ice cream (usually at least 1 if not 2 scoops). Last night, I ate a greasy slice of pepperoni slice of pizza, which I noticed had substantial cheese, in addition to eating a full lasagna plate (also with cheese). Would appreciate your thoughts.
I've experienced diarrhea (3 times in bathroom, while at work, today); bloating; and a general fatigue/sluggishness. Even morning coffee did not really help. I suspect strongly it is lactose intolerance. While I often drink tea or coffee with half-and-half, milk, or light cream, I usually do not experience LI symptoms unless I drink milk (say, 1 cup straight); eat ice cream (usually at least 1 if not 2 scoops). Last night, I ate a greasy slice of pepperoni slice of pizza, which I noticed had substantial cheese, in addition to eating a full lasagna plate (also with cheese). Would appreciate your thoughts.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
It's hard to know, without more history and an exam, for sure, but lactose intolerance is a possibility from what you described, but so is an intolerance to one of the milk proteins rather than milk sugar.
I say there is the possibility of a milk protein intolerance because half and half and cream do have lactose but not as much milk protein/casein as a glass of milk. However, milk protein can sometimes be denatured by heat/cooking and is then not as provoking if it is cooked.
People who are lactose intolerant have varying degrees of ability to process milk sugar. The problem is the lack of the enzyme lactase in the small intestines which breaks down lactose. Babies/children have the best supply of lactase enzyme, and we lose some of that as we get older. Some people have enough lactase to process a small amount of milk sugar, but when overloaded with more dairy, there is not enough enzyme to take care of it, and that results in diarrhea, gas, and bloating. They might be able to have more dairy again in a few days or longer, after there is enough enzyme again. For people who have some but not enough of the lactase enzyme, products like Lactaid, can help address some of the overload. But for the most part, it's best to just have minimal dairy or avoid dairy if lactose intolerance is the problem.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
It's hard to know, without more history and an exam, for sure, but lactose intolerance is a possibility from what you described, but so is an intolerance to one of the milk proteins rather than milk sugar.
I say there is the possibility of a milk protein intolerance because half and half and cream do have lactose but not as much milk protein/casein as a glass of milk. However, milk protein can sometimes be denatured by heat/cooking and is then not as provoking if it is cooked.
People who are lactose intolerant have varying degrees of ability to process milk sugar. The problem is the lack of the enzyme lactase in the small intestines which breaks down lactose. Babies/children have the best supply of lactase enzyme, and we lose some of that as we get older. Some people have enough lactase to process a small amount of milk sugar, but when overloaded with more dairy, there is not enough enzyme to take care of it, and that results in diarrhea, gas, and bloating. They might be able to have more dairy again in a few days or longer, after there is enough enzyme again. For people who have some but not enough of the lactase enzyme, products like Lactaid, can help address some of the overload. But for the most part, it's best to just have minimal dairy or avoid dairy if lactose intolerance is the problem.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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