I checked out lactose intolerance in my GI bible that I refer to often "Your Gut Feelings" by Dr. Henry Janowitz. He indicates that intolerance to dairy increases as we age because the older we become the enzyme lactase which breaks down lactose dimenishes with age. He indicates that he has found that lactose intolerance tests are rarely helpful but a true test is to omit dairy from the diet for two weeks (yogurt is usually OK) Lactose intolerance causes gas, bloating, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Wheat is another common culprit. I hope this helps some. Ginny
At Tue, 16 Nov 1999, Christine M. Smith wrote:
>
>Hi!
>
>I could use some opinions! Somewhere in the middle of my pain problem of
>the last 2 years I also developed intestinal distress (mainly excessive
>gas/turbulence/bloat, but not the alternating constipation/diarrhea of
>IBS) I was sure that extra fiber was the culprit, although the problem
>did not seem to be relieved *that much* when I cut back to my normal
>amounts of fiber, which I always thought was a healthy amount. I went
>on vacation last month and for 2 weeks ate a high protein, high fat diet
>with low fiber and had a significant decrease in symptoms. But just
>recently someone mentioned the possibility that I could be lactose
>intolerant. WHAT? It is true that on this 2 week vacation I also ate
>very little dairy products. Is this possible? Can a person suddenly
>become lactose intolerant at the age of 50 (almost)? Since the person
>told me this I have had very little dairy products and I have had a
>significant decrease in symptoms. If this is possible, then maybe other
>people who have a lot of intestinal distress should consider the
>possibility that lactose intolerance is adding to their problems.
>
>Chris S.
-- Ginny King