Final answer:
The appropriate treatment for lactose intolerance includes avoiding lactose-containing foods, utilizing lactose-free milk, and taking lactase enzyme tablets to aid in dairy digestion. Children may outgrow intolerance, whereas adults may manage symptoms through diet and medication. Diagnosis can involve a hydrogen breath test and possibly an intestinal biopsy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Appropriate Treatment for Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition where individuals have a deficiency or a lack of the enzyme lactase, making it difficult to digest lactose, the carbohydrate found in milk and dairy products. Common symptoms include gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. To manage this condition, one can avoid foods containing lactose, utilize lactose-free milk products, or take over-the-counter lactase enzyme tablets when consuming dairy.
For growing children and adults who still require the nutrition from milk, lactase tablets provide the necessary enzyme to aid in the digestion of lactose in the small intestine. These tablets add the digestive materials that are naturally deficient in individuals with lactose intolerance.
It's also important to note that, in some cases, individuals might outgrow this intolerance, particularly children. In the event of a lactase deficiency diagnosis, more serious cases such as galactosemia should be ruled out, which involves a more significant metabolic issue. Diagnosis can be done through tests such as the hydrogen breath test and possibly an intestinal biopsy, although the latter is not commonly done due to the need for specialized laboratories.