lactose intolerance
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A digestive condition where the body cannot properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose in the digestive system.
Usage
This term is used to describe the medical condition itself. * Many adults have lactose intolerance. * The symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating and discomfort. * A doctor can diagnose lactose intolerance.
Advanced Usage
- "to be lactose intolerant": This is the adjectival phrase describing a person with this condition.
- She is lactose intolerant, so she drinks almond milk.
Variants and Related Words
- Lactase deficiency (n): The specific lack of the enzyme lactase, which is the cause of lactose intolerance.
- Milk intolerance (n): A more general, non-technical term sometimes used synonymously with lactose intolerance.
Synonyms
- Lactase deficiency
- Milk sugar intolerance
Related Terms (Not Synonyms)
- Lactose (n): The sugar in milk that cannot be digested.
- Lactase (n): The enzyme that breaks down lactose.
- Dairy allergy (n): A different condition involving an immune response to proteins in milk, not a digestive enzyme deficiency.
Noun
- congenital disorder consisting of an inability to digest milk and milk products; absence or deficiency of lactase results in an inability to hydrolyze lactose