Lactose Intolerance?

[GoofyBaby]

I don't normally post on the CB, and this is embarrassing for me to say, but I am really wondering if my poor sister could have lactose intolerance. She & her husband have been staying with us the past couple of weeks and every time I've noticed her eating/drinking dairy, she starts having what she calls butt-burning farts about a half-hour later and she clears the room with them. They are NOT human, I tell you!

She never used to have it as a child and it's not something that runs in the family, so could she have developed it as an adult? I'm not really familiar with lactose intolerance, so I'm not sure. She doesn't seem to be bothered by bloating, cramps or anything else.

Any thoughts?

 

[Pigeon]

People can develop lactose intolerance as adults. My dd has it. It's fluid milk that really bothers her, cheese and yogurt not so much. She gets cramps, gas, etc. We just buy lactose-free milk and she's fine. You can also buy OTC pills that you can take while eating dairy that counteracts the problem.

 

[cherylp3]

It could also be IBS - I've tried the pills and milk and found that avoidance is the key. I switched to soy milk, and butters. There is a test that can be run.

 

[MissyDVC]

DH is lactose-intolerant and that is what happens if he drinks milk or has milk products. All he has to do is take Lactaid (over-the-counter) and it is much better. He can't drink milk, though, even with the Lactaid. It only works for him with ice cream, etc.

 

[redrosesix]

Yes, that sounds like lactose intolerance. It can be temporary, but you have to avoid dairy for a while and add it back in gradually. The pills don't work for me -- I have to drink soy milk. This just started again last summer (I had been able to drink milk again for about 10 years).

For me, the worst is stomach cramps at night -- bad enough to wake me up. They go away within a day of staying away from milk. So your sister should just try avoiding dairy for a couple of days -- she'll know.