| Dairy sensitivity is a common problem and has | | | | asthmatic conditions. |
| been estimated to occur in the majority of the | | | | Symptoms of dairy sensitivity generally begin |
| population to varying degrees, though most cases | | | | shortly after consuming dairy products, usually |
| are not pronounced enough to warrant | | | | within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Though symptoms |
| investigation or diagnosis. Approximately 2 to 4 | | | | of dairy sensitivity are usually mild, they can be |
| percent of adults deal with actual food allergies, | | | | rather severe in extreme cases. It can be difficult |
| while an estimated 10 to upwards of 75 percent | | | | to identify a food sensitivity due to the wide |
| of American adults have food sensitivities, | | | | variety of processed foods in the diet which |
| depending on the food. Dairy sensitivity is caused | | | | often contain ingredients unfamiliar to the general |
| by either lactose intolerance or casein allergy with | | | | public. Dairy is included in many such processed |
| lactose intolerance being by far the most | | | | foods. |
| common problem. In fact, lactose intolerance is | | | | If you experience the symptoms of dairy |
| the most common type of food intolerance | | | | sensitivity after consuming meals and on a regular |
| worldwide. The most common symptoms of a | | | | basis, you may want to try the elimination diet to |
| dairy sensitivity are gastrointestinal problems and | | | | pinpoint the exact cause of symptoms. If it turns |
| can sometimes be confused with another food | | | | out that you are suffering from a sensitivity to |
| allergy or intolerance. | | | | dairy products, symptoms can be immediately |
| Lactose intolerance is the most common reason | | | | alleviated through an elimination of all dairy |
| for dairy sensitivity and often increases with age. | | | | products from the diet. Alternatively, it can be |
| Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include | | | | enough in some cases to simply reduce the |
| diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, bloating and | | | | amount of dairy in the diet. Calcium can still be |
| headaches. These symptoms can cause problems, | | | | obtained through the consumption of non-dairy |
| with the body being unable to absorb enough | | | | food products such as broccoli, oranges, canned |
| nutrients from the food being consumed. Lactose | | | | salmon and tofu, although supplementation is a |
| intolerance is generally a long-term problem; this | | | | wise thing to do. |
| should be a suspected diagnosis if these problems | | | | Food sensitivities in general, and dairy sensitivity |
| have been experienced over a period of time. | | | | specifically, are quite common in the general |
| Often, a sensitivity to casein is identified through | | | | population. Some people may go years without |
| the use of an elimination diet. Symptoms of | | | | discovering the source of their discomfort. |
| casein sensitivity include gastrointestinal problems | | | | However, once the intolerance has been identified, |
| such as vomiting and diarrhea, along with common | | | | the removal of offending foods from the diet can |
| signs of allergy such as hives, eczema and | | | | quickly relieve symptoms. |