A 30-year-old female presents with diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort after meals for the past six months. She notices that symptoms are worse after consumption of milk and dairy products. The diarrhea is watery, without blood or mucus. What are the potential causes?
This patient's symptoms suggest a possibility of lactose intolerance, where the body lacks the enzyme (lactase) to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. To confirm this diagnosis, a lactose intolerance test, which measures the body's reaction to a liquid that contains high levels of lactose, can be done.