Lactose Intolerance

📋Overview

This condition occurs when the small intestine produces insufficient levels of lactase, the enzyme required to break down lactose into simpler sugars for absorption. When this enzyme is lacking, undigested lactose passes into the large intestine rather than being absorbed into the bloodstream.

The term is the preferred clinical diagnosis for this state, replacing older or less specific labels such as lactase deficiency or milk intolerance. It is recognized as a common digestive condition involving the inability to properly process the sugar found in dairy products.