FacebookIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of intestinal symptoms that typically occur together, affecting between 3 and 20 percent of the American population. Abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea are some of the hallmark symptoms of IBS but can also be attributed to a related condition: lactose intolerance.
Digestive disorders can be tricky to diagnose because symptoms often overlap. IBS and lactose intolerance share a number of symptoms, but there are differences in the underlying causes, risk factors, and recommended treatments. Here's what you need to know about these two digestive conditions including how they are similar, how they differ, and how they can be managed.
What Symptoms Do They Share?
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder characterized by the body's inability to digest lactose – the body simply doesn’t produce enough of the enzyme required to digest it properly. Individuals with lactose intolerance may develop uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, or cramping after consuming foods containing lactose (like milk or cheese). Some people also experience diarrhea or constipation, especially with continued consumption.
This same set of symptoms is common among individuals with irritable bowel syndrome. IBS affects each individual differently, but the symptoms typically occur together. Common symptoms is IBS include abdominal pain or cramping, gas and bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Key Differences
While the symptoms of both IBS and lactose intolerance are similar, the underlying causes for those symptoms differ. Individuals with lactose intolerance either lack or do not produce enough of the enzyme lactase which is required to digest dairy. Though lactose intolerant individuals can certainly develop other food intolerances or allergies, dairy is the only trigger for lactose intolerance.
Dairy can trigger IBS symptoms in some individuals, though it isn’t the only trigger. Individuals with IBS may experience symptoms after consuming fried foods, caffeinated beverages, sources of insoluble fiber, and other foods. Symptoms can also be triggered or worsened by stress and anxiety. The key difference between lactose intolerance and IBS is that symptoms can be variable – some IBS sufferers experience constipation while others get diarrhea. It’s not always predictable.
Not only do IBS and lactose intolerance differ in their underlying causes, but they have different risk factors. Women tend to develop IBS more often than men and, while genetics are thought to be a factor, more research is needed to truly understand the underlying causes. Your risk for IBS may be higher if you have a family member with IBS, have had a severe intestinal infection, or if you have a history of stress or trauma.
While IBS affects between 3 and 20 percent of American adults, lactose intolerance is incredibly common. An estimated 68% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant or will be during their lifetime. Most people are born with the ability to produce lactase but that ability may decrease over time. Individuals from Hispanic, Asian, and African descent may have a higher risk for developing lactose intolerance, along with those who have concurrent digestive disease like celiac disease or IBD.
Tips for Dietary Management
Though IBS and lactose intolerance are different digestive disorders, both are best managed through dietary changes. Avoiding certain foods is the best way to prevent symptoms in both cases.
Managing lactose intolerance is fairly straightforward – you simply need to avoid dairy. That means limiting your consumption of lactose-containing foods like milk, cream, ice cream, and cheese. Choose non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or coconut milk instead, or take lactase enzyme tablets prior to consuming dairy to help mitigate symptoms. If lactose intolerance develops as a complication of untreated celiac disease, your ability to digest dairy may return after you switch to the gluten free diet and your digestive tract has time to heal.
Treating lactose intolerance involves avoiding a single category of foods – dairy – but managing IBS is more complex.
Researchers suspect the underlying cause for IBS has something to do with the way the gut communicates with the brain. Until we know more about what causes IBS, the best course of treatment involves avoiding triggers. Many people with IBS have trouble digesting beans and legumes, cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions as well as processed and fried foods. Some people with IBS find it helps to avoid dairy and/or gluten.
While it is possible to have both lactose intolerance and IBS, it is only because the two conditions are very common – not because they are closely related.
Lactose intolerance is caused by an inability to digest dairy whereas IBS seems to involve problems with the way the gut communicates with the brain. If you’re experiencing uncomfortable digestive symptoms, talk to your doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis then discuss the options for treatment along with dietary management.
