HOMOEOPATHY FOR LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in diary products. People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable.

Lactose intolerance is common . In fact it’s thought to affect 75 percent of the world’s population.

A deficiency of lactase — an enzyme produced in your small intestine — is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. Many people have low levels of lactase but are able to digest milk products without problems. If you're actually lactose intolerant, though, your lactase deficiency leads to symptoms after you eat dairy foods.

Most people with lactose intolerance can manage the condition without having to give up all dairy foods.

Causes

Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine doesn't produce enough of an enzyme (lactase) to digest milk sugar (lactose).

Normally, lactase turns milk sugar into two simple sugars — glucose and galactose — which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.

If you're lactase deficient, lactose in your food moves into the colon instead of being processed and absorbed. In the colon, normal bacteria interact with undigested lactose, causing the signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance.

There are three types of lactose intolerance. Different factors cause the lactase deficiency underlying each type.

Primary lactose intolerance

This is the most common type of lactose intolerance. People who develop primary lactose intolerance start life producing plenty of lactase — a necessity for infants, who get all their nutrition from milk. As children replace milk with other foods, their lactase production normally decreases, but remains high enough to digest the amount of dairy in a typical adult diet.

In primary lactose intolerance, lactase production falls off sharply, making milk products difficult to digest by adulthood. Primary lactose intolerance is genetically determined, occurring in a large proportion of people with African, Asian or Hispanic ancestry. The condition is also common among those of Mediterranean or Southern European descent.

Secondary lactose intolerance

This form of lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine decreases lactase production after an illness, injury or surgery involving your small intestine. Among the diseases associated with secondary lactose intolerance are celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth and Crohn's disease. Treatment of the underlying disorder may restore lactase levels and improve signs and symptoms, though it can take time.

Congenital or developmental lactose intolerance

It's possible, but rare, for babies to be born with lactose intolerance caused by a complete absence of lactase activity. This disorder is passed from generation to generation in a pattern of inheritance called autosomal recessive, meaning that both the mother and the father must pass on the same gene variant for a child to be affected. Premature infants may also have lactose intolerance because of an insufficient lactase level.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include:

·        Diarrhea

·        Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting

·        Abdominal cramps

·        Bloating

·        Gas

Risk factors

Factors that can make you or your child more prone to lactose intolerance include:

·        Increasing age. Lactose intolerance usually appears in adulthood. The condition is uncommon in babies and young children.

·        Ethnicity. Lactose intolerance is most common in people of African, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian descent.

·        Premature birth. Infants born prematurely may have reduced levels of lactase because the small intestine doesn't develop lactase-producing cells until late in the third trimester.

·        Diseases affecting the small intestine. Small intestine problems that can cause lactose intolerance include bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease and Crohn's disease.

·        Certain cancer treatments. If you have received radiation therapy for cancer in your abdomen or have intestinal complications from chemotherapy, you have an increased risk of lactose intolerance.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental , emotional , spiritual and physical levels. When milk intolerance   is concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering the mental and physical symptoms.

AETHUSA CYNAPIUM 30—Aethusa cynapium is considered to be one of the top Homoeopathic remedies  for lactose intolerance. Vomiting of milk as soon as swallowed or in large curds. Hungry after vomiting. Undigested , thin , greenish diarrhea , preceded by colic with tenesmus followed by exhaustion and drowsiness.

CINA 30—Cina is indicated for milk tolerance with worm troubles. Vomiting and diarrhea immediately after taking milk, especially mother’s milk.

MAGNESIA MURIATICA  30-Magnesia  muriatica is another effective remedy for lactose intolerance. Cannot digest milk, causes flatulence and colic. Belching like rotten eggs. Continued rising of white froth into mouth.

NATRUM CARBONICUM 30—Natrum mur person has an aversion to milk. Aversion to milk, which causes diarrhea.  Complaints worse from milk. Very weak digestion. Heartburn after taking milk.  Flatulent and bloated abdomen. Abdomen enlarged and distended.

SEPIA 30—Sepia is also an effective remedy for milk intolerance, where complaints worse after milk, especially boiled milk. Nausea at the thought and smell of milk. Abdomen flatulent and bloated.