Lactose Intolerance Symptoms: When Milk Causes More Harm Than Good

For Indians, milk is an indispensable part of their lives. From gulping down a glass of it before going to school in childhood to sipping endless cups of chai during adulthood, it is a routine for many. 

And, it is common to also hear people say that drinking milk makes them sick to their stomachs. Many people experience lactose intolerance symptoms within 20 minutes to 2 hours after consuming dairy.

But what really happens inside your body? And why do some people suddenly develop these reactions even if they enjoyed dairy for years? Let’s find out the real causes in this blog. 

What is Lactose Intolerance? 

Before learning what lactose intolerance causes, you need to understand the lactose intolerance meaning first. Lactose intolerance is a digestive condition where your body struggles to break down lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.

This happens when your small intestine doesn’t make enough lactase. It is an enzyme required to digest lactose. Without lactase, lactose moves into your colon undigested, where gut bacteria ferment it, producing gas, bloating, and discomfort.

Did you know that, about 65% of the global population has some reduced ability to digest lactose after childhood as per National Institute of Health.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance 

The symptoms of lactose intolerance may be confused with other conditions until you recognise them. You may experience these symptoms right after consuming milk, cheese, butter, paneer, shakes, or desserts:

Sudden Bloating and Stomach Tightness

This is usually the first sign. When undigested lactose reaches the colon, it gets fermented quickly. This rapid fermentation releases hydrogen gas, which is one of the biggest triggers of tight, balloon-like bloating.

Painful Cramps

The gas buildup puts pressure on your intestinal walls, causing sharp cramps. These cramps often come in waves and may feel like twisting or pulling sensations.

Excessive Gas and Flatulence

This happens because gut bacteria produce gas while breaking down undigested lactose. The more lactose you consume, the worse the gas.

Nausea or Vomiting

Some people feel instantly nauseous, especially after heavy dairy products like cheese, cream, or milkshakes. You may puke instantly after the intake of these products. 

Skin Flare-Ups

Not true allergies, but there are chances of inflammation from lactose malabsorption, which may worsen acne or eczema in sensitive individuals.

Causes of Lactose Intolerance

If you have been consuming dairy products your whole life, and feel – why am I suddenly lactose intolerant. It is incredibly common, and lactose intolerance can appear anytime in life.

This is the reason behind it: 

• Your body stops producing enough lactase after childhood, and it reduces as you age.
• Mild stomach infections can temporarily reduce lactase levels.
• IBS or celiac disease conditions damage the intestinal lining where lactase lives.
• Some people are naturally predisposed to low lactase production due to their genetics. 
• Post-pregnancy hormonal changes
• Injury to intestinal lining (from infections, antibiotics, or inflammation)

So yes, you can wake up one day and suddenly react badly to milk, even if you digested it perfectly for years.

How Do You Know If You are Lactose Intolerant?

You may suspect it if your symptoms always appear shortly after dairy. But a proper lactose intolerance test confirms it.

There are 3 main medical tests:

Hydrogen Breath Test

You drink a lactose solution, and if your breath contains high hydrogen levels, it means your gut is fermenting lactose instead of digesting it.

Lactose Tolerance Blood Test

This test measures glucose level through the series of blood tests before and after you drink lactose solution. If you are lactose intolerant, your blood glucose won’t increase.

Stool Acidity Test

This test is common in lactose intolerance in babies. The infant is fed with lactose first, then stool is collected from the diaper. If the pH is less than 5.5, the test is positive. 

Can Lactose Intolerant People Eat Curd?

Since dairy products cause discomfort, this doubt ‘can lactose intolerant eat curd?’ is quite common. So, yes! Most people can.  

Curd (dahi) contains live bacteria that naturally break down lactose. Thus, curd causes fewer symptoms compared to milk. Fermented foods like yoghurt and buttermilk are generally better tolerated.

Lactose Intolerance Treatment 

The treatment of lactose intolerance involves putting in efforts to manage with smart dietary choices. This is what you can do: 

• Avoid or reduce high-lactose foods – milk, cream, ice creams, paneer, whey concentrate, and milk chocolates.
• Choose low-lactose or lactose-free options. These include A2 milk, lactose-free milk, hard cheese, Greek yoghurt, and plant milks (almond, soy, oat).
• Take lactase enzyme supplements. These help digest lactose when you want to enjoy dairy occasionally.
• Consuming probiotic-rich foods or supplements can help your body break down lactose more easily.

Studies show that people can tolerate up to 12g lactose (about 1 cup milk) when taken with meals. 

NOTE: Please don’t take any supplements on your own; ask your doctor for the best recommendation that goes well with your symptoms/ case.

Read More: Kefir Milk Benefits: The Fermented Drink Your Gut Will Love

Summing Up

Do you experience sudden bloating, cramps, diarrhoea, or discomfort after eating your favourite ice cream or drinking milk? These may be signs of lactose intolerance. It’s not a sign of serious concern because it is easy to manage once you understand the lactose intolerance meaning, causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

With smart swaps, gut-friendly habits, and the right tests, you can enjoy food without fear and keep your digestive system healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Lactose Intolerance