10 signs you're not lactose intolerant, even if you think you are

Lactose intolerance is something that a lot of people experience over the course of their lives or, at least, they might think that they do.But there are a lot of symptoms of lactose intolerance that can also be symptoms of other conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, food sensitivities, and more.Knowing what sorts of things might point to you not being lactose intolerant is worth it because it might actually be something else entirely and once you're armed with that information, you can better address what's really going on.Chances are there's someone in your life that doesn't eat dairy products. And though many might make that choice because of ethical considerations and the like, others choose to abstain because they feel that dairy products make them feel bloated and gassy, resulting in painful cramps, diarrhea, or other sorts of digestive upset. It's just not worth it if eating those sorts of foods make you feel sick. But it might not actually be lactose intolerance that's the culprit. Rather, you might be mistaking what you're experiencing for lactose intolerance, but it could actually be something else. Here's what you may need to know.You've had diarrhea for an extended period of time, even though you've cut out dairy.Diarrhea can be an unfortunate side effect that comes along with some food sensitivities, intolerances, and other conditions, like lactose intolerance. But if you've experienced it for an extended amount of time, even if you haven't been eating dairy, it might not be lactose intolerance that's the problem."If a patient finds that symptoms of diarrhea or loose stools extend long beyond any period where any dairy or lactose containing products is consumed, then this change in bowel habits should also be investigated for any potential sinister cause," Dr. Donald Tsynman, MD, a New York City-based gastroenterologist, told INSIDER. Having a conversation with your doctor and potentially getting a gastroenterologist or other specialist involved could be a good idea.You accidentally ate or drank something that contained dairy, but didn't experience any negative side effects within about two hours.Typically, symptoms and complications related to lactose intolerance are going to show up relatively quickly."A person who is lactose intolerant will feel nauseous with 30 minutes to two hours of consuming milk or dairy," Dr. Niket Sonpal, MD, a New York City-based gastroenterologist and an adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, told INSIDER. Longer than about two hours could indicate another condition.You're also dealing with some serious fatigue.Even if you have a number of digestive issues that suggest you might be lactose intolerant, if you're experiencing other symptoms as well, that could also be a hint that it's not actually lactose intolerance with which you're dealing. Sonpal said that fatigue is one such symptom that could mean that a doctor may need to further investigate to find out what's really going on.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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