Diseases

Lactose Intolerance

The condition resulting from the absence or deficiency of LACTASE in the MUCOSA cells of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, and the inability to break down LACTOSE in milk for ABSORPTION. Bacterial fermentation of the unabsorbed lactose leads to symptoms that range from a mild indigestion (DYSPEPSIA) to severe DIARRHEA. Lactose intolerance may be an inborn error or acquired.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The condition resulting from the absence or deficiency of LACTASE in the MUCOSA cells of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, and the inability to break down LACTOSE in milk for ABSORPTION. Bacterial fermentation of the unabsorbed lactose leads to symptoms that range from a mild indigestion (DYSPEPSIA) to severe DIARRHEA. Lactose intolerance may be an inborn error or acquired.

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Classification

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See Also

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Synonyms

7 entry terms
  • Alactasia
  • Dairy Product Intolerance
  • Hypolactasia
  • Lactose Malabsorption
  • Milk Sugar Intolerance
  • Intolerance, Lactose
  • Malabsorption, Lactose

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

34 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

67(64)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WI 470

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Lactose Intolerance. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D007787. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D007787
  2. Lactose Intolerance. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance
  3. Lactose Intolerance. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219223