Am I Lactose Intolerant?

Take this quiz to find out.

Lactose intolerance is when your body can’t properly break down lactose, a sugar found in milk. As a result, lactose-intolerant people tend to have unpleasant digestive symptoms after eating dairy products.

Wondering if you’re lactose intolerant? You’re in the right place! Just answer these questions, and we’ll tell you if it seems like you’re experiencing symptoms of lactose intolerance, so you can figure out your next steps.

Disclaimer: This quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool and shouldn’t be used as one. Always see a licensed healthcare professional to address your concerns.

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Questions Overview

1. Do you get a stomachache after eating dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc)?
  1. Yes, every time.
  2. Only once in a while.
  3. No, this doesn’t happen to me.
2. Do you get extra gassy after eating dairy products?
  1. Ugh, yes. This always happens.
  2. Sometimes, but not every time.
  3. No, not really.
3. Do you feel bloated after eating dairy products?
  1. Yes, I feel super bloated.
  2. Yes, but only a little bloated.
  3. No, not really.
4. Do you ever get diarrhea after eating dairy products?
  1. Yes, this happens very often.
  2. Yes, but not every time.
  3. No, this hasn’t happened to me.
5. Have you ever gotten nauseous and/or thrown up after eating dairy products?
  1. Yes, several times.
  2. Yes, only a few times.
  3. No, this has never happened.
6. Are you of Asian, Native American, Hispanic, or African descent? (People of these ethnicities are more likely to have lactose intolerance.)
  1. Yes
  2. No
7. Do you have Inflammatory bowel disease or Celiac disease? (These conditions are sometimes linked to lactose intolerance.)
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. I’m not sure

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  • What to do next:<\/b> If you\u2019re a major dairy lover, have no fear! There are a few things you can do to help manage your symptoms, including:
    • Only eating dairy with other foods.<\/b> Some people find that they have fewer symptoms if they have other foods at the same time as dairy (cheese with crackers, milk with cereal, etc).<\/li>
    • Picking dairy products with lower lactose levels.<\/b> Dairy products with lower lactose levels include hard cheeses (Parmesan, Swiss, cheddar) and probiotic yogurt.<\/li>
    • Purchasing lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk products.<\/b> Lactaid is a popular example, but many dairy brands offer lactose-free variations of their products.<\/li>
    • Taking a lactase supplement.<\/b> Lactase is an enzyme that helps your body break down lactose, so it can provide some relief from lactose intolerance symptoms.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/li><\/ul>
      Disclaimer: This quiz isn\u2019t meant to be a diagnostic tool. If you\u2019re concerned about the digestive symptoms you\u2019re experiencing, see your doctor.<\/i>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Test for Lactose Intolerance","id":10578409,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance","relUrl":"\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-11.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-11.jpg","alt":"How to Test for Lactose Intolerance"},{"title":"Effective Remedies to Help Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain","id":11448756,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance","relUrl":"\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-15.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-15.jpg","alt":"Effective Remedies to Help Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"It\u2019s possible that you have lactose intolerance.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it seems like you experience some symptoms of lactose intolerance, but they\u2019re not as severe or frequent. As a result, it\u2019s possible that you\u2019re lactose intolerant, but it\u2019s also possible that certain dishes you\u2019ve eaten just didn\u2019t agree with you.
      • What to do next:<\/b> If you\u2019re unsure about whether or not you\u2019re lactose intolerant, try implementing some of these methods that are commonly used to reduce lactose intolerance symptoms. If they end up helping you, this could be a sign that you are, in fact, lactose intolerant. If they don\u2019t make a difference, you probably aren\u2019t lactose intolerant.<\/li>
      • There are a few things you can do to help manage your symptoms, including:
        • Only eating dairy with other foods.<\/b> Some people find that they have fewer symptoms if they have other foods at the same time as dairy (cheese with crackers, milk with cereal, etc).<\/li>
        • Picking dairy products with lower lactose levels.<\/b> Dairy products with lower lactose levels include hard cheeses (Parmesan, Swiss, cheddar) and probiotic yogurt.<\/li>
        • Purchasing lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk products.<\/b> Lactaid is a popular example, but many dairy brands offer lactose-free variations of their products.<\/li>
        • Taking a lactase supplement.<\/b> Lactase is an enzyme that helps your body break down lactose, so it can provide some relief from lactose intolerance symptoms.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
          Disclaimer: This quiz isn\u2019t meant to be a diagnostic tool. If you\u2019re concerned about the digestive symptoms you\u2019re experiencing, see your doctor.<\/i>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Test for Lactose Intolerance","id":10578409,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance","relUrl":"\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-11.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-11.jpg","alt":"How to Test for Lactose Intolerance"},{"title":"Effective Remedies to Help Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain","id":11448756,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance","relUrl":"\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-15.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-15.jpg","alt":"Effective Remedies to Help Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"You don\u2019t seem to have lactose intolerance.","meaning":"Based on your answers, dairy products don\u2019t usually cause symptoms like bloating, gas, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea for you. As a result, it seems like you probably aren\u2019t lactose intolerant.
          • Not sure if this is the right result?<\/b> At the end of the day, you know yourself best! If you still think you\u2019re experiencing lactose intolerance, it could be worth it to check in with your doctor about your concerns. They can assess you and come up with any treatment plans that may be necessary.
            <\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Test for Lactose Intolerance","id":10578409,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance","relUrl":"\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-11.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Test-for-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-11.jpg","alt":"How to Test for Lactose Intolerance"},{"title":"Effective Remedies to Help Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain","id":11448756,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance","relUrl":"\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-15.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Ease-Pain-from-Lactose-Intolerance-Step-15.jpg","alt":"Effective Remedies to Help Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Monster<\/picture>","alt":"What Monster High Character Am I Quiz"},{"title":"Which Marvel Rivals Character Am I Quiz","id":15023113,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Marvel-Rivals-Characters","relUrl":"\/Marvel-Rivals-Characters","image":"\"Marvel<\/picture>","alt":"Which Marvel Rivals Character Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Disney Princess Am I Quiz","id":14180825,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Disney-Princess-Are-You","relUrl":"\/What-Disney-Princess-Are-You","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Disney Princess Am I Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Actually, I do have some other health concerns.","result":"We have some quizzes that might help with your questions:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Why Am I So Bloated Quiz","id":14196055,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Why-Am-I-So-Bloated","relUrl":"\/Why-Am-I-So-Bloated","image":"\"Why<\/picture>","alt":"Why Am I So Bloated Quiz"},{"title":"Am I Healthy Quiz","id":14843649,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Am-I-Healthy-Quiz","relUrl":"\/Am-I-Healthy-Quiz","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Healthy Quiz"},{"title":"Mental Health Quiz","id":14703680,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Mental-Health-Quiz","relUrl":"\/Mental-Health-Quiz","image":"\"Mental<\/picture>","alt":"Mental Health Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

    • What Is Lactose Intolerance?

    Lactose Intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Because they can’t properly break down lactose, people who are lactose intolerant tend to have unpleasant digestive symptoms after consuming foods that contain dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, butter, etc).

    Symptoms
    Symptoms vary from person to person, but in general, they include: [1]

    • Stomach cramps
    • Bloating
    • Gas
    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea and sometimes vomiting [2]

    Treatments & Living with Lactose Intolerance

    • Only eating dairy with other foods. Some people find that they have fewer symptoms if they have other foods at the same time as dairy products (cheese with crackers, milk with cereal, etc), rather than eating dairy products on their own.
    • Picking dairy products with lower lactose levels. Some dairy products have less lactose than others, which means they tend to cause fewer uncomfortable symptoms. Dairy products with lower lactose levels include hard cheeses (parmesan, Swiss, cheddar) and probiotic yogurt.
    • Purchase lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk products. Lactaid is a popular example, but many other dairy brands offer lactose-free variations of their products, as well. [3]
    • Take a lactase supplement. Lactase is an enzyme that helps your body break down lactose, so it can provide some relief from lactose intolerance symptoms. [4]
    • Avoid eating dairy products. If none of the above methods work for you, it may help to substitute non-dairy alternatives (almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, non-dairy cheeses, etc.) for dairy products.

    Are some people more likely to be lactose intolerant? Yes, lactose intolerance runs in families, so you’re more likely to have it if people in your family do. Lactose intolerance is also most common in people of Asian, Hispanic, African, and Native American descent. [5] On the flip side, you’re less likely to be lactose intolerant if you’re of Northern European descent (only about 5% of Northern Europeans experience this condition). [6]

    Want to learn more?

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    Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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    References

    1. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lactose-intolerance
    2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232#symptoms
    3. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lactose-intolerance
    4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19664-lactase-capsules-or-tablets
    5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232
    6. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lactose-intolerance/#inheritance