In this article, we look at Crohn’s disease and lactose intolerance in more detail and compare their causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.
Lactose intolerance vs. Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to estimates, doctors diagnosed IBD in more than 3 million adults in the United States in 2015.
Lactose intolerance affects around 30 to 50 million U.S. adults. People with this condition are unable to digest a type of sugar called lactose, which is present in milk and most other dairy products.
For individuals with lactose intolerance, consuming products containing this sugar can cause similar symptoms to Crohn’s disease. However, the two conditions have very different causes and treatments.
Crohn’s disease
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is not clear, but doctors think that it may have autoimmune characteristics, meaning that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body. Experts also think that a person’s genes and other factors, such as smoking or previous infection, may play a role in the development of this condition.
Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, but it most commonly affects the small intestine or the start of the colon. The inflammation can affect several areas of the digestive tract at once, and the symptoms can vary considerably.
Lactose intolerance
People with lactose intolerance are unable to break down lactose because they do not produce enough of an enzyme called lactase. The body uses lactase to break lactose down into two simpler sugars called glucose and galactose.
Undigested lactose moves into the colon, where bacteria ferment it. This process leads to a buildup of gases and fluids that cause the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Lactose intolerance affects people differently. Many people with this intolerance can consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing symptoms, but others cannot.
There are three main types of lactose intolerance:
- Primary lactase deficiency results from a gene that runs in some populations. Symptoms of this type of lactose intolerance typically manifest after weaning.
- Secondary lactase deficiency develops when a disease, infection, or another condition injures the small intestine. This type of lactose intolerance is sometimes only temporary.
- Congenital lactase deficiency is rare but usually starts from birth.
Many environmental factors may increase the risk of Crohn’s disease, including:
- smoking
- taking oral contraceptives
- digestive tract infections
- antibiotic use
- removal of the appendix
There may also be certain genetic factors that increase the likelihood of Crohn’s disease, which means that the condition may run in families.
Lactose intolerance
The following factors may increase the risk of lactose intolerance:
- premature birth
- infections, diseases, or conditions that injure the small intestine, which can include IBD and celiac disease
- genetic factors
There is a higher prevalence of lactose intolerance in areas of the world where people rarely consume milk and other dairy products. For example, more than 90 percent of people of East Asian descent are intolerant to lactose.
The treatment for lactose intolerance typically involves restricting lactose consumption or eliminating it from the diet entirely, depending on how much lactose a person can tolerate.
A low-lactose or lactose-free diet can be challenging as dairy products are widespread in most Western diets. People should also take care to compensate for any dietary changes to ensure that they are not lacking any nutrients, such as vitamin D and calcium.
A doctor or dietitian can advise on a diet plan to suit a person’s specific needs. For some people, a doctor may recommend using lactase products, which are tablets or drops that contain lactase to help the body digest lactose.
Takeaway
Crohn’s disease and lactose intolerance both affect the digestive system and can cause similar symptoms. However, the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of the two conditions are different.
Crohn’s disease occurs due to a problem with the immune system, and symptoms result from inflammation in the digestive tract. People with lactose intolerance do not produce enough lactase and experience symptoms when they consume products containing lactose.
Both can be lifelong conditions, but lactose intolerance is generally easier to manage than Crohn’s disease.
Doctors usually treat a person with Crohn’s disease using medications that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Surgery may sometimes be necessary to treat serious complications.
People with lactose intolerance can prevent symptoms by adopting a low-lactose or lactose-free diet.
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