If you love ice cream, but find that it often makes you sick, you might suffer from lactose intolerance.

Some of those unlucky individuals gathered at the Gnaden Huetten Campus of the Blue Mountain Health System recently for a presentation by Denise Frey, a clinical dietitian with Blue Mountain.According to Frey, lactose intolerance is an enzyme deficiency in the small intestine, which means there is not enough lactase to fully digest lactose.While being lactose intolerant means a person has difficulty digesting dairy products, it is not the same as a milk allergy, which is an immune system response.Symptoms from lactose intolerance may appear a half-hour to two hours after ingesting lactose, while a milk allergy would be more likely to cause an immediate reaction.Factors that contribute to lactose intolerance include ethnicity (those who are black, Asian, Hispanic or American Indian have a higher incidence); the elderly; premature infants; and those with a small intestine disease, such as Crohn's, celiac and cancer.Lactose intolerance affects about 65 percent of the population. It is least common among northern Europeans. It is most prevalent among those of Eastern Asian, West African, Arab, Jewish, Greek and Italian descent.It also may affect those who have had bariatric surgery.While children who are born prematurely have a higher incidence of lactose intolerance, it doesn't normally affect children until the age of 3 and older.However, African-American children could experience symptoms as young as 2 years of age.Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, gas, bloating and abdominal cramping.Tests to determine if you are lactose intolerant include a blood test after ingesting a liquid containing lactase; a hydrogen breath test; or a stool acidity test, usually used for infants or small children.There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but there are ways to live with it.You might even be able to have that ice cream now and then.Companies like Lactaid and Dairy Ease make a variety of products, from dietary supplements to help digest lactase, to milk, ice cream, and even eggnog.Some people experience no symptoms when eating these products, while others may have milder symptoms.When cutting dairy products from your diet, Frey emphasizes that these items are high in calcium and vitamin D, which the body needs. Women over 50 need a minimum of 1,200 mg of calcium per day, while men 50 and older need a minimum of 1,000 mg.Lactose-free dairy products may provide the necessary amount of calcium.Also, she said to look for foods, such as canned salmon, that are high in calcium.Some sufferers can tolerate yogurt and hard cheeses, such as cheddar and Parmesan, or cheeses made from goat's or sheep's milk, which also contain calcium.Frey cautions, however, when substituting nondairy products, such as almond or rice milk, to remember that while these products may have calcium, their protein content may be much lower than regular milk.The best way to know what you're eating, says Frey, is to read the labels. First, to see that you're getting enough of the nutrition your body needs; and second, to make sure that you're not ingesting lactose unknowingly.Lactose is found in a surprising array of foods, including the following: bread, breakfast drinks, baked goods, potato chips, waffles, candy, cereals, nondairy creamer, nondairy whipped topping, instant potatoes, processed meats (such as hot dogs and lunch meat), margarine and salad dressing."When you go to the grocery store, take your time and allow enough time to read the food labels and make sure you're not indirectly getting lactose in your diet," says Frey.Words to look for when reading labels include: whey, lactose, milk, milk powder, curds, milk byproducts and milk solids.Frey says certain medications and supplements may also include lactose, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist."Six percent of over-the-counter medications have lactose, including tablets for stomach acid and gas."Those suffering from lactose intolerance, who may wish to see if they can introduce it back into their diet, or who want to eat a small amount of a certain food, may be able to tolerate lactose if they keep it under 12 grams.Frey also suggests eating a lactose-containing food with another food, instead of by itself. For example, having cereal with milk, or cheese with crackers.