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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe 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, which is the most common symptom
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Gas
Symptoms are usually mild but may sometimes be severe. The severity of symptoms doesn't correlate with the degree of lactose malabsorption. Instead, symptoms relate to a range of factors, including ethnicity, age and how fast you digest food.
Lactose intolerance isn't easily diagnosed by signs and symptoms alone. Many other conditions, including stomach flu and irritable bowel syndrome, can give you similar symptoms. In young children, diarrhea along with certain other symptoms may be a sign of milk protein allergy.
