Severe lactose intolerance can be an uncomfortable condition that involves gas, bloating and stomach pain after consuming milk products. The condition occurs when the body doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the sugar found in milk. Without the right amount of this enzyme, milk products are difficult to digest. The intestines can't process the lactose, and it disrupts the digestive tract. 

But being diagnosed with severe lactose intolerance doesn't necessarily mean you need to avoid milk altogether or be tortured with a bloated belly and embarrassing gas. Lactose intolerance and milk allergies aren't the same, and you don't need to avoid milk products completely. While there is no cure, having a management and treatment plan in place can help reduce the symptoms. There may be some things you can do to manage your intake and minimize the discomfort associated with consuming dairy. 

Treating Severe Lactose Intolerance 

Lactose intolerance isn't something for which you can walk in to the doctor's office and get a prescription. Treatment is on a case-by-case basis because different people can handle various limits of lactose. 

That means it isn't all or nothing. Usually, those who have trouble digesting lactose can handle drinking or eating some milk products every day. It may not be something you have to give up entirely. There are also things you can do to make the digestion process a little easier, thus reducing the symptoms. 

So the first option generally is to cut out dairy products for a week or two, then gradually re-introduce them to your diet while carefully monitoring the symptoms to see exactly how much you can handle without getting sick. 

If you need treatment, it typically includes a variety of solutions -- from over-the-counter products that ease the digestion of dairy products to managing the amount of dairy that works best for you. Sprinkling an enzyme over food before eating it or taking an enzyme tablet after consuming milk products can aid digestion and prevent gas and bloating. 

In a study of 30 people who self-diagnosed as severely lactose intolerant, 30 percent could absorb lactose, according to the Dairy Council in the UK. The website states that, "most lactose maldigesters can include sufficient milk and dairy foods within their diet to meet nutrient requirements, with small and manageable manipulation of the types and amounts of dairy foods consumed." 

Dietary Changes to Manage Lactose Intolerance 

The first step in managing lactose intolerance is to adjust your diet. Just remember that what works for some people may not work for others. It depends on the severity of the symptoms you experience. 

In a post to NoMilk.com, one woman writes that she switched to a gluten-free diet and was able then to tolerate milk products better, but this isn't the case for everyone. "Yogurt and aged cheeses are more easily tolerated because some of the lactose has been converted to lactic acid. One rule of thumb is that the higher the fat content of the dairy product, the lower the lactose level," she wrote. 

Other foods can assist with digestion. Hard cheeses tend to be the easiest form of milk products to digest, for example. Soy products can be used as a milk substitute and are readily available. Yogurt has bacterial cultures that can increase enzymes and break down the lactose in milk products for easier digestion. 

Another option is simply to manage your lactose intolerance by monitoring it closely. Keep track of what and when you eat and how much you eat. Note how it makes you feel. Over time, you'll learn exactly how much you can have without having to pay the price. Find the amount of dairy that is comfortable for you and stick with it. Start with small amounts and work up to the maximum amount that your body can handle without experiencing the negative side effects. 

Other Foods That Contain Lactose 

If you have a severe reaction after consuming lactose, you need to be aware that there are plenty of foods, outside of milk products, that also contain lactose and could cause digestive problems. 

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) lists many foods to watch out for that may contain hidden lactose: 

• cereal (even without added milk);
• instant potatoes or soup;
• candy;
• salad dressings;
• processed, frozen meals; and
• hot dogs and other processed meats. 

Be savvy about reading labels carefully. Look for words like whey, curds and milk byproducts that also indicate the product contains lactose and could be problematic. 

Getting Enough Calcium 

Some people with lactose intolerance are able to drink enough milk to get adequate nutrition. But if you're not one of these people, there are still things you can do to increase your calcium consumption. 

One way to get more calcium without relying on milk products is through other foods. Foods high in calcium include some vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach. Other foods are sardines, nuts, tofu and foods fortified with calcium. The other way is to use a high-quality calcium supplement, which you should discuss with your doctor. 

Doctors may recommend keeping dairy products as part of your dietary regimen, but perhaps in lower levels than others without lactose intolerance. The American Academy of Pediatrics even changed its guidelines in 2006, supporting dairy as a source of calcium for children with lactose intolerance. Patients may tolerate some level of lactose consumption, which can vary from one patient to the next. 

Manage severe lactose intolerance by monitoring your dairy intake, determining which foods you can handle, and minimizing the symptoms with over-the-counter products. You may not have to give up milk products entirely after all!