Living with frequent episodes of digestive discomfort certainly makes you wonder what is causing the problem and what can be done about it. It is a good possibility that these digestive symptoms are caused by lactose intolerance, a condition that makes it difficult to digest lactose, the main sugar found in milk and dairy products. Here are the common symptoms of lactose intolerance:

Gas

Bloating

Abdominal cramping

Diarrhea

The symptoms of lactose intolerance usually start to occur within about 30 minutes of consuming dairy products, although it may take up to two hours for the lactose intolerance symptoms to set in. If you've suspected that lactose intolerance is the cause of your symptoms, you've probably tried products like Lactaid® or other lactase supplements or treatments to ease the pain. Maybe you've made an effort to eliminate foods with lactose from your diet – such as milk, cheese, ice cream, sour cream, pizza, etc.

One issue that comes up when attempting to eliminate the symptoms of lactose intolerance is just how difficult it is to identify all the foods with dairy products in them. If you think you may be lactose intolerant, you are probably avoiding the obvious offenders like milk and cheese. But lactose is an ingredient in a number of foods you may not suspect, including:

• Processed cereals

• Baked goods

• Lunch meats

• Margarine

• Breakfast drinks

• Soups

Even some coffee creamers labeled as non-dairy may have milk-based ingredients that contain lactose. Since dairy can be hidden in so many of the things we like to eat, you may have suffered from lactose intolerance symptoms without knowing they were the result of consuming lactose. That also means you probably didn't take lactase supplements before you ate, and once again, you started feeling the onset of gas pains and cramps, abdominal bloating and diarrhea.

Pinning down lactose intolerance as the cause of your symptoms takes some time and effort. You can obtain a medical diagnosis, which can also help to rule out other conditions, such as a milk allergy.

But even with a diagnosis of lactose intolerance, you are still responsible for managing your symptoms. A number of people have tried and found success with Lactagen®, a clinically tested program that is based on changing the bacteria in the digestive system. Adapting your intestinal system to be able to digest lactose comfortably could be easier than trying to avoid lactose altogether, or remembering to take lactose intolerance pills.

Keeping a diary of your symptoms and what seems to bring them on can be a good first step in managing lactose intolerance. Consulting your health care practitioner for a diagnosis may be helpful as well.