Treatment

In people with lactose intolerance caused by an underlying condition, treating the condition might restore the body's ability to digest lactose, although that process can take months. For other causes, you might avoid the discomfort of lactose intolerance by following a low-lactose diet.

To lower the amount of lactose in your diet:

• Limit milk and other dairy products
• Include small servings of dairy products in your regular meals
• Eat and drink lactose-reduced ice cream and milk
• Add a liquid or powder lactase enzyme to milk to break down the lactose