Meaning of LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
| Pronunciation: | | 'laktows in'tâluruns
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | [n] congenital disorder consisting of an inability to digest milk and milk products; absence or deficiency of lactase results in an inability to hydrolyze lactose |
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| | Synonyms: | | lactase deficiency, milk intolerance |
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| | See Also: | | congenital disease, genetic abnormality, genetic defect, genetic disease, genetic disorder, hereditary condition, hereditary disease, inherited disease, inherited disorder | |
| Medical Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | The inability to digest or absorb lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. |
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| Biology Dictionary |
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- Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, the predominant sugar of milk. This inability results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into simpler forms that can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, the results, although not usually dangerous, may be very distressing. While not all persons deficient in lactase have symptoms, those who do are considered to be lactose intolerant. Common symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, which begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate.
For more information, visit the NIDDK's Lactose Intolerance Page.
- Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose (a disaccharide of glucose and galactose). The digestion of lactose requires the enzyme lactase. Undigested lactose causes two major problems:
- fermentation of lactose by intestinal bacteria produces gas and organic acid
- lactose causes an osmotic diarrhea in the large bowel
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