So first phase of ,Covid 19 Vaccine jabs in India will start from this Saturday 16th January. It is going to start with Delhi. The central govt has designated four days of the week-Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday-for administering Covid 19 vaccine in the first phase of the immunisation programme. Tuesdays and Fridays are usually planned for children’s immunisation drive and the other health programmes which are taken door to door. Centre has also confirmed that Indian vaccine makers will be held liable for any complications or adverse effects that arise from the administration of their jabs. The govt has not accepted their demand that they be indemnified against mishaps.
Now coming to my other topic, today I am back on some health issues, today’s topic is LACTOSE INTOLERANCE:
Sugar in the milk is called lactose, and people who are diagnosed with lactose intolerance are the ones, who are unable to digest this. The symptoms are indigestion, gas and bloating or diarrhea etc. Mostly the symptoms are harmless, and as such, this is not an allergy that is easily diagnosed. This condition is caused because of deficiency of an enzyme called lactase in the small intestine, which usually helps with lactose absorption. Also this not usually a severe condition, and people manage this at times, even without having to give up the dairy products.
Interestingly this condition usually appears in adulthood and is not seen in infancy or childhood. Certain risk factors can contribute to ths like premature birth, increasing age, belonging to a particular ethnicity, certain other diseases and even specific treatments like chemotherapy.
The reason why this condition is found in adults and not in childhood or infancy is that of the lactase presence in early life. As we grow old, our lactase levels decline and hence the ability to digest lactose also declines. As per National Institute of Health (NIH), 65% of the world population develops the condition, after childhood has passed, but may be diagnosed late. Now if the above mentioned symptoms persists, a doctor may be able to help you diagnose the same. Most often you may have to observe if the situation improves when you give the dairy products completely.
So it is possible that lactose intolerance can occur in old age. There is no cure for this condition, there is no treatment that you can have to get rid of it. However, following a certain way of life, by seeking advice from doctor can help provide great relief from the symptoms.
If you have to use skim milk, then you need to take care of your calcium intake, as in old age it is very important to keep your bones healthy. You can follow a few tips mentioned below:
- One option is switch over to Soy milk, which is widely available now, other option is that you may be prescribed calcium tablets y the doctor.
- If the doctor has not advised you to avoid milk totally, then you may take milk along with meals or other food to reduce the symptoms.
- Take milk in small quantities with enough intervals to reduce the symptoms.
- If you become highly intolerant, please make sure to read labels of all processed and packed food and make sure that it does not contain milk or any dairy products. Few medicine too include lactose, so you may want to check that as well.
- Sometimes, few forms of dairy foods may not give you too much symptoms. This can be learnt be learnt by trials and errors and then sticking to the ones which give you fewer issues.
So lactose intolerance is not a worrisome condition and can be managed easily at any age. Hence, the way to live with it is to first to identify if you are having the issue, then talking to the doctor to best manage the condition. Most often, people with lactose intolerance can live a good healthy life and normal life. All it needs a little care and caution to ensure that the symptoms do not severe or recur often.
Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
14th January 2021.
Friends this is my Blog number 801.