Milk – it does a body good. Right? Well, not always. 

Do you think you might have trouble digesting milk or milk products? Do you find yourself bloated or gassy after eating dairy? Are you left wondering "am I lactose intolerant?" Read on to find out more about the causes, signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance. 

Your small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase. This enzyme is in charge of digesting and absorbing lactose, which is a sugar that can be found in milk and milk products. People with lactose intolerance may experience bloating, gas or diarrhea after eating or drinking milk products. These digestive symptoms may be so uncomfortable that people seek treatment and help. 

Lactose intolerance shows itself in two ways: Lactose deficiency and lactase malabsorption. Lactose deficiency is a condition in which the small intestine makes very low levels of lactase and can't process much lactose. Lactose malabsorption is a condition in which unabsorbed lactose passes to the colon. The colon is supposed to absorb water from a person's stool and change it from a liquid to a solid. Here, bacteria is digested and broken down, and the undigested lactose is made into either fluid or gas.