Do you know the difference between lactose intolerance and IBS? 🤔

Hi Olivia,

Lactose intolerance causes discomfort after consuming food and beverages containing lactose (a type of sugar in dairy products).

If you have lactose intolerance, you lack the enzyme (lactase) that breaks down lactose. 

With IBS, you can digest lactose but you will experience digestive symptoms for several other reasons. 

It is also possible to have both lactose intolerance and IBS together. 

Lactose intolerance may share similar symptoms with symptoms of IBS, such as:

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Bloating
• Flatulence 
• Diarrhea

Here is a sneak peek of some tests that may be used when diagnosing lactose intolerance:

• Hydrogen breath test
• Blood test
• Dietary elimination 

🚨Please consult qualified healthcare professionals or registered dietitians to receive personalized guidance on managing lactose intolerance or IBS. 

We have written an in-depth post on lactose intolerance, which you can read here. 

From The IBS Dietitian Team xx

P.S. If you have ANY questions just hit reply!!

P.S.S. Are you interested in individualised help?  Click here to book an enquiry call with Kirsten Jackson the IBS dietitian ❤️

Check out my latest IG reel

😅 Can you relate to this?

🙃 It is super confusing trying to work out what foods cause IBS symptoms because you are reacting to FODMAPs and you will have a certain level you can tolerate before getting symptoms. 

🧐 This means you may tolerate a food one time because the FODMAP content being within what you tolerate but another time you are eating FODMAPs which go over your tolerance level. 

🤓🤓 The only way to get clarity on this is to do the low FODMAP process and identify where your tolerance levels are at. 

 
❤️ Follow my Instagram for more posts like these!