Lactose Intolerance Center - Abilene, TX
Abilene Gastroenterologist Doctors for Lactose IntoleranceType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Abilene * Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates  Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates  Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates  Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates  Sandip V Mathur MD  Yogeshkum Patel MD  Sammy J Horton MD  Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology  Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology  Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology  West Texas Medical Associates  West Texas Medical Associates Abilene, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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Lactose IntoleranceRead the Lactose Intolerance article » What is lactose intolerance?Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest and absorb lactose (the sugar in milk) that results in gastrointestinal symptoms when milk or food products containing milk are consumed. What causes lactose intolerance?Lactose is a large sugar molecule that is made up of two smaller sugars, glucose and galactose. In order for lactose to be absorbed from the intestine and into the body, it must first be split into glucose and galactose. The glucose and galactose are then absorbed by the cells lining the small intestine. The enzyme that splits lactose into glucose and galactose is called lactase, and it is located on the surface of the cells lining the small intestine. Lactose intolerance is caused by reduced or absent activity of lactase that prevents the splitting of lactose (lactase deficiency). Lactase deficiency may occur for one of three reasons, congenital, secondary or developmental. Congenital causes of lactose intolerance Lactase deficiency may occur because of a congenital absence (absent from birth) of lactase due to a mutation in the gene that is responsible for producing lactase. This is a very rare cause of lactase deficiency, and the symptoms of this type of lactase deficiency begin shortly after birth. Secondary causes of lactose intolerance Another cause of lactase deficiency is secondary lactase deficiency. This type of deficiency is due to diseases that destroy the lining of the small intestine along with the lactase. An example of such a disease is celiac sprue. Developmental causes of lactose intolerance The most common cause of lactase deficiency is a decrease in the amount of lactase that occurs after childhood and persists into adulthood, referred to as adult-type hypolactasia. This decrease in lactase is genetically programmed, and the prevalence of this type of lactase deficienc... Recommended Reading Related to Lactose IntoleranceDiarrhea facts
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