What condition describes a person’s inability to digest lactose?

The condition that accurately describes a person’s inability to digest lactose is lactose intolerance. This condition occurs when the body does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is necessary for breaking down lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. As a result, when individuals with lactose intolerance consume lactose-containing foods, they may experience symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

On the other hand, lactose allergy refers to an immunological reaction to proteins in milk, rather than lactose itself. Lactose sensitivity is not a formally recognized medical term and is often used informally to describe varying degrees of discomfort related to lactose consumption, rather than a specific diagnosis. Lactose deficiency could imply a general lack of lactose, but it does not specifically define the inability to digest lactose as effectively as lactose intolerance does. Therefore, lactose intolerance is the condition that encompasses the symptoms and enzymatic deficiency related to the digestion of lactose.