It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Lactose Intolerance.
Lactose intolerance is where people are unable to fully digest the sugar in milk. This results in symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, nausea and bloating. This is due to a low level of an enzyme called lactase in their small intestine. Lactose intolerance can be mistaken for other gastrointestinal issues such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome. A diagnosis can be achieved through a hydrogen breath test or lactose intolerance test.