Secondary lactose intolerance is when you become temporarily lactose intolerant because of an underlying condition or surgery that has damaged your digestive system. This damage disrupts lactase enzyme activity, reducing the capability of your small intestine for digesting lactose.
Damage to your digestive system, more specifically your small intestine can occur at any time throughout your life. So, secondary lactose intolerance can affect anyone at any age. Individuals at particular risk are those who have undergone surgery or have an underlying condition that has damaged there small intestine. It has also been found that some medications may affect the small intestine.
There are three main ways your small intestine can become damaged to cause secondary lactose intolerance:
The following are more specific causes of secondary lactose intolerance:
Secondary lactose intolerance is normally only temporary, but in long-term chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease it can be long lasting and the damage can be permanent.
After the initial infection or inflammation of the digestive system has resolved, the cells responsible for the enzyme lactase return to normal function and lactase activity increases. Normally, secondary lactose intolerance resolved of its own accord. Treatment of the underlying condition is the best way to return lactase activity to normal levels.
If you experience temporary lactose intolerance you should try to avoid any lactose containing foods from your diet, while you recover from the illness/injury. Then after a couple of days, when symptoms appear to improve, start to reintroduce dairy foods to your diet.
« Lactose Intolerance and Diet Lactose Intolerance Signs in Toddlers »