Constipation
It is a much rarer symptom seen in lactose intolerance. Constipation may be defined as passing hard stools, difficulty in defecation and feeling of bowel strain. The methane gas fermented by microflora is a known constipating agent as it slows the bowel emptying. Although not strictly associated with lactose intolerance, it has been reported as a symptom.
Lactose intolerance is easily confused with lactose malabsorption. A proper diagnosis reveals some people can digest ample lactose and the problem is its intestinal absorption. The confusion mainly is because gastrointestinal symptoms are also classical signs of other common diseases such as diabetes and bacterial infection, etc. They also commonly depend on diet and a number of other food components may have reactions that are wrongly attributed to lactose intolerance. It is therefore essential to get a proper lab diagnosis as his clinical picture is fairly confusing. Obeying the trend of gradient in this condition as previously discussed, some people can tolerate a small amount of lactose content and do not develop severe symptoms, however, others are severely lactose intolerant and develop serious signs of unease, upset stomach, and abdominal discomfort.