A 30-year-old male complains of flatulence and loose stools after consuming milk-based coffee. He also admits he recently cut dairy from his diet for a couple of months due to a fad diet. What could be the potential cause?
It's possible that this patient is experiencing lactose intolerance. While he may have tolerated lactose before, a significant reduction or elimination of lactose from the diet can reduce lactase levels in the body, leading to symptoms upon reintroduction of dairy. To confirm, a lactose tolerance test or hydrogen breath test can be conducted. If confirmed, the patient should be educated about lactose-containing foods and strategies for managing symptoms, which could include using lactase supplements or choosing lactose-free alternatives.