Overview 

Lactose intolerance is the inability of the human body to digest lactose, a sugar contained in milk and other dairy products, it is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Normally believed to be inconvenient, lactose intolerance has several long-lasting serious health repercussions and a seriously lowered quality of life. 

Anyone interested in general health and well-being should know what happens if such a condition is neglected. Below, we consider what can occur with lactose intolerance if it is not cared for.

Symptoms due to neglect of lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance When the individuals with lactose intolerance consume any dairy product, their body is unable to produce enough amount of lactase enzyme, an enzyme responsible to break down lactose. It can lead to various problems, most of them being immediate and unpleasant, including the following:

• Bloating: There is a buildup of gas within the digestive system, since undigested lactose causes fullness and discomfort.
• Diarrhea: Lactose exerts a drag of water into the intestines, moving peristalsis to hurry the contents through more rapidly, or producing loose watery stools.
• Abdominal Pain and Cramping: Fermentation of sugar lactose with colonic bacteria can lead to the development of cramps and pain.
• Nausea: Some experience nausea after consuming it, and especially in large quantities.

This is likely to interfere with a person’s daily activities since it acts to limit concentration on work or interaction with people. These symptoms, though considered slight and that one may easily accommodate, are likely to escalate to more serious health conditions if their causes are continuously disregarded.

Risk of Chronic Inflammation

Hence, chronic intake of lactose by an intolerant individual may then lead to digestive tract chronic inflammation. This comes as a result of the body’s persistent reaction against the CBCs of lactose, since irritation and inflammation of the intestines occur. Chronic inflammation predisposes one to many other disorders affecting the digestive system and can play a part in the development of disorders such as:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: It is a symptom wherein the presence of lactose intolerance will aggravate IBS and make it even more difficult to manage.
• Leaky Gut Syndrome: Many a time, the inflammation of the gut lining will result in increased permeability of the intestines, allowing toxins and food particles to pass untouched directly into the bloodstream.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD: The constant irritation may be manifested in the forms of acid reflux and GERD.

It provokes an inflammatory change not only in the gut but also has a significant impact on systemic inflammation and increases the risk of other inflammatory diseases.

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Nutritional Deficiencies

One of the most troubling long-term effects of undiagnosed lactose intolerance is the general lack of certain nutrients. Nutritional sources of calcium, vitamin D, and riboflavin are largely supplied through dairy products, so avoiding it without any good alternative source may lead to deficiencies over time.

• Calcium Deficiency: It is a vital mineral involved in the maintenance of bone health and oral health. Inadequate intake of calcium leads to softening of the bones and develops a risk for osteoporosis in later age. 
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Vitamin D supports nutritional balance by withholding calcium absorption, and a vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of diseases of the bones even higher. Vitamin D participates in immune mechanisms and mood regulation.
• Riboflavin deficiency: It is very important during the production of energy and metabolism processes of fats, drugs, steroids, etc. Due to such deficiency of riboflavin, any particular person may feel tired and the metabolic processes can be slowed down. 

It is, therefore, very important that those with lactose intolerance seek out alternatives that are lactose-free or other sources of these important nutrients: fortified plant-based milks, leafy greens, or supplements.

An increased risk linked with bone health problems

As was discussed earlier, calcium and vitamin D inadequacies from not consuming dairy products often occur and may lead to bone abnormalities. This raises the risk for osteopenia (低骨密度) and osteoporosis (骨）with long-term inadequate intake-low-density bones and brittle bones, respectively-which increases a person’s susceptibility to bone fractures and decreased mobility.

Lactose intolerance, therefore, places one in a position of risk for these conditions since some of the very most common sources of calcium come from dairy products.

Fragile Bones and Osteoporosis

This will cause the body to take the required calcium from the bones to supplement what is needed by other functions when sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake does not occur. As a result, the bones lose some of their density, which may easily lead to more fragile bones, called osteoporosis, that break more easily and are usually found in older adults. Those who have lactose intolerance might not know they have the risk until they experience one of these bone fractures after falling or in some minor accident.

Compromised digestive health

Constant irritation from consuming dairy when lactose intolerant can have adverse effects on digestive health. Gut flora-too much or too little of the good bacteria in the digestive system-can become imbalanced over time and lead to something called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can be explained as an imbalance in gut bacteria, which .can be manifested through a variety of digestive complaints such as the following:

• Chronic Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Fatigue

An unhealthy gut also spreads to overall health through the effects it has on the immune system, since much of the immune system is housed in the gut. The repeated infection from lack of digestion of lactose can lead to further infections and an impoverished immune response.

Mental Health Impact

Of course, one might not view it this way, but another crucial determinant of health that is compromised when lactose intolerance is neglected is one’s mental health. There is a concurrence on stress, anxiety, and depression arising from discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract if the symptoms are usually overt. 

Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin D, have also been linked to mood disorders. Vitamin D is implicated in the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences mood. Low levels of serotonin may make one feel sad, anxious, and tired.

It is attended, therefore, to bring a dividend not only in physical well-being but also in mental health, mending both the physical and emotional dysfunction related to lactose intolerance.

Increased Secondary Health Conditions

Through continuous consumption of lactose, several other secondary health conditions may be predisposed. Because of the pressure the body has while trying to handle the undigested lactose, complications arise other than those in the digestive system. Some of the secondary health conditions that may result from lactose consumption include:

• Chronic Fatigue: Also, poor nutrient absorption due to continuous digestive discomfort may lead to chronic fatigue. They also complain of being worn out and tired because of it.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Chronic inflammation can cause autoimmune disorders wherein the immune system of the body becomes misguided and starts attacking healthy tissues. 
• Weight gain or loss: Some have to face weight gain due to increased fluid retention and bloating, while others may face weight loss due to diarrhea and an inability of the body to absorb proper nutrition from consumed food. 

These secondary conditions further stress the needs for the correct management of lactose intolerance and dietary changes in the process to impede further complications. 

Effective Management of Lactose Intolerance

 Although it may be a bother, lactose intolerance requires that extra step in management, for it could lead to serious complications if ignored. These include: 

• Proceeding to Lactose-Free Products: A variety of lactose-free dairy substitutes exist that have enabled consumption of many benefits from the dairy products themselves without the discomfort caused. 
• Taking Lactase Enzyme Supplements: These can be taken by people who only occasionally consume lactose. These supplements can digest some of the lactose contained naturally in foods and will reduce the symptoms of intolerance. 
• Including Sources of Alternative Calcium: For one who may not consume dairy products, some sources of calcium not from dairy products are almond nuts, tofu, and leafy green vegetables. 

It is for this reason that the study necessitates direct contact with those who would be affected by lactose intolerance and the necessary dietary adjustments to avoid long-term health detriments because of the condition.