Is there a treatment for lactose intolerance?

Posted April 04, 2012

DEAR DOCTOR K: I’ve recently become lactose-intolerant. Is there a treatment for this? Or do I have to say goodbye to cheese and milkshakes forever?

DEAR READER: Yes, there is a treatment. But whether it will allow you to eat cheese and drink milkshakes occasionally depends on your gut. Lactose intolerance occurs when your gut does not have enough of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose, the main sugar in milk. When lactose isn’t properly broken down, it can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhea.

Do proton pump inhibitors have long-term side effects?

Posted December 28, 2011

DEAR DOCTOR K: I suffer from heartburn and have been taking a proton pump inhibitor for the past few years. Should I be worried about long-term side effects?

DEAR READER: For many people with heartburn, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) provide great relief. Stomach acid contains lots of hydrogen ions, which are protons. PPI drugs inhibit the production of those protons. The PPIs include esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec).

How can I stop excessive burping?

Posted November 04, 2011

DEAR DOCTOR K: I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I burp — a lot. Why do I burp more than other people? And what can I do to stop it?

DEAR READER: My patients frequently complain about burping. Of course, everybody burps, and with good reason. Belching is a protective mechanism. It prevents the stomach from overinflating. So you need to be able to burp. But if it happens more than you think it should, and it’s clearly making you uncomfortable, that’s a problem.

What causes the feeling of a “lump in the throat”?

Posted October 06, 2011

DEAR DOCTOR K: I often get the feeling that there’s a lump in my throat. Sometimes in the morning I’ll cough up mucus, but it doesn’t make the feeling go away. What can I do to get rid of this feeling?

DEAR READER: Some use the expression “a lump in my throat” to describe experiencing a strong emotion such as grief or gratitude. But, as you’ve discovered, this feeling can be an annoying and recurrent problem that has nothing to do with how you’re feeling at the moment.

What can I do to stop passing gas?

Posted September 29, 2011

DEAR DOCTOR K: I pass a lot of gas. It’s bad enough when I’m alone. But it’s absolutely mortifying when I have to pass gas in public. What can I do?

DEAR READER: It’s normal to have air in the digestive tract. Some gets there when you swallow it and some is produced during digestion. Your body normally produces up to two quarts of gas a day. This air moves in your digestive tract along with food and waste products. Eventually it needs to be expelled to prevent painful stretching of the stomach and intestine.

Digestive Disorders