What are the treatment options for lactose intolerance?

Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. If the small intestine makes too little lactase, lactose is not fully digested and may draw water into the bowel or be fermented by gut bacteria. This can cause bloating, cramps, rumbling, wind or loose stools after dairy.

Many people can tolerate a small amount, especially when dairy is taken with other food. Lactose-free milk and yoghurt can provide similar nutrients without the same lactose load. Hard cheeses are often lower in lactose, but individual tolerance varies.

Keep a brief food-and-symptom record, then reduce the portion or frequency of the food that triggers symptoms rather than removing every dairy product automatically. A clinician or dietitian can help you maintain calcium, vitamin D and protein while changing your diet.

Lactase tablets or drops may help some people digest lactose when used with dairy. Food intolerance testing may be considered when the pattern is unclear or symptoms continue. Do not use a restrictive diet as a substitute for assessment of persistent symptoms.

Arrange a medical review if symptoms are persistent, worsening, begin after an illness, or occur with weight loss, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting, fever or significant abdominal pain. Swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing or trouble breathing after dairy suggests an allergy and needs urgent help, not lactose management.

Ask whether your symptoms fit lactose intolerance, whether another digestive condition should be considered, which dairy foods you can trial safely, and how to meet your calcium and vitamin needs.