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Lactose Intolerance Center - Roswell, NM

Roswell Gastroenterologist Doctors for Lactose Intolerance

Type 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 Roswell *

Southern New Mexico Medical Associates PA
Adil M Choudhary
303 W Country Club Rd
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 623-1442

Southern New Mexico Medical Associates PA
Frederick B French
303 W Country Club Rd
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 623-1442

Crit Hobbs MD
Crit Hobbs
313 W Country Club Rd
STE 15
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 623-8021

Southern New Mexico Medical Associates PA
Lindy T Rachal
303 W Country Club Rd
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 623-1442

Southern New Mexico Medical Associates PA
Shams Tabrez
303 W Country Club Rd
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 623-1442

Roswell, New Mexico

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Lactose Intolerance

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 Intolerance

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Emergency Contact for Roswell

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Roswell Hospitals *

Roswell Regional Hospital
117 E 19th St
Roswell, NM 88201
(575)627-7000

Eastern New Mexico Medical Center
405 W Country Club Rd
Roswell, NM 88201
(575)622-8170

New Mexico Rehabilitation Center
31 Gail Harris St
Roswell, NM 88203
(575)347-3400

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