You can suspect lactose intolerance if you experience symptoms such as bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, typically starting 30 minutes to two hours after consuming dairy products containing lactose

. These symptoms occur because your body lacks enough lactase enzyme to properly digest lactose, leading to fermentation by bacteria in the colon and production of gas and acids

. To know for sure if you are lactose intolerant, you can try eliminating all dairy products from your diet for about two weeks to see if your symptoms improve

. If symptoms subside, it suggests lactose intolerance. For a definitive diagnosis, you can consult a doctor who may recommend tests such as:

• Hydrogen breath test: Measures hydrogen in your breath after consuming lactose; high levels indicate lactose intolerance

• Lactose tolerance blood test: Measures blood glucose levels after drinking lactose; low rise in glucose suggests intolerance

• Stool acidity test: Mainly for infants and young children, detects acid in stool caused by undigested lactose

If you frequently experience symptoms after eating dairy, it is advisable to see a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis and discuss management

. In summary, symptoms after dairy intake, improvement after dairy elimination, and confirmatory diagnostic tests are how you can know if you are lactose intolerant.