There are several common symptoms of lactose intolerance, along with some less common symptoms. Lactose intolerance symptoms occur because of issues with digesting lactose.
The symptoms potentially vary from one person to another individual with lactose intolerance. Some individuals experience many symptoms of lactose intolerance. Other people have only one or two of these five symptoms that you may be lactose intolerant.
There is no cure, but most people learn to manage their symptoms.
Vomiting is a lesser-known symptom of lactose intolerance
Most sources that discuss lactose intolerance mention nausea as a common symptom. Another symptom of lactose intolerance is vomiting. When a person has nausea, it does not necessarily mean that they also experience vomiting. Perhaps you have vomiting as a secondary symptom to the nausea, or you possibly have vomiting without experiencing the nausea at all.
Lactose intolerant rumbling and grumbling
You likely know that bloating and gas are potential symptoms of lactose intolerance. Although it is not usually listed as one of the five most-common symptoms of lactose intolerance, hearing or feeling your stomach rumbling and grumbling is another potential indication that you have lactose intolerance. Determine whether you have other symptoms that you may be lactose intolerant.
Lactose intolerance sometimes causes abdominal pain
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reveals that abdominal pain is another possible symptom of lactose intolerance. If you have abdominal pain, whether along with common symptoms such as bloating or gas, or independent of other symptoms after consuming dairy products, consider it as one of your five possible symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Are your mouth ulcers related to lactose intolerance?
Healthline indicates that some case studies report study participants with less common symptoms of lactose intolerance. One of those symptoms is mouth ulcers. Do you have one or more mouth ulcers after consuming dairy products? If you do, consider whether this is a symptom that you are lactose intolerant.
Joint pain is a potential symptom of lactose intolerance
The BMJ reports on a case where a 53-year-old woman experienced multiple symptoms over a 10-year period. Her joint discomfort became so severe that physicians placed her on a list for a knee replacement. Her doctors compiled a list of all of her symptoms, and administered a lactose intolerance test. The woman tested positive for lactose intolerance, and after treatment, greatly improved to the point where her joint pain greatly decreased.
Managing lactose intolerance
There is no cure for lactose intolerance. There are ways to manage the symptoms, and potentially reduce or eliminate some symptoms, including the following:
- If you test positive for lactose intolerance, follow your doctor’s instructions, including taking any medications
- Add small amounts of milk products to your diet to possibly reduce symptoms
- Look for milk products that are lactose free or that have reduced lactose in them
Although there are common lactose intolerant symptoms, there are lesser-known symptoms. Learn to recognize your specific symptoms of lactose intolerance, and then follow steps to manage it that best helps you reduce your specific lactose intolerance symptoms.