Exploring the Fundamental Differences Between Lactose Intolerance and Milk Allergy

The systematic review aimed to investigate the pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnostic methods of these conditions to determine the main approaches to their recognition. The study used a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles for the period 2019 to 2024, with the involvement of earlier works to obtain basic knowledge. The main findings demonstrated that lactose intolerance is a metabolic disorder caused by lactase deficiency, which leads to gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea. Instead, milk allergy was an immunologically mediated condition triggered by proteins such as casein and whey, which often manifested itself in systemic reactions, including skin rashes and respiratory distress. Differentiation of conditions was achieved using methods such as the hydrogen breath test for lactose intolerance and specific IgE testing for milk allergy. The study also noted that the use of an elimination diet contributed to a more accurate diagnosis of milk allergy. The practical significance of the work was the possibility of avoiding unreasonable dietary restrictions and improving the quality of life of patients, as these conditions required different approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The findings contributed to a deeper understanding of these conditions and highlighted the importance of further research into the role of the microbiota in shaping symptoms and potential therapeutic interventions.