
Lactose intolerance is a clinical syndrome manifested by gastrointestinal symptoms following the consumption of lactose-containing foods. In healthy individuals, dietary lactose is hydrolysed into glucose and galactose with the help of lactase, an enzyme situated in the brush border of the small intestine. Bloating, diarrhoea, and discomfort in the abdomen are typical symptoms of insufficient lactose digestion caused by this enzyme deficiency, which can be caused by basic hereditary causes or secondary intestinal injury. This fermentation is facilitated by colonic bacteria. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnostic assessment, and evidence-based treatment approaches of lactose intolerance are all explained in this activity. This activity also elucidates the importance of accurate diagnosis, patient education, and dietary modification, highlighting the collaborative role of the interprofessional healthcare team in optimizing patient outcomes.
