Avoid milk products for several days. If digestive symptoms occurs in the next four hours, the diagnosis of lactose intolerance is likely. You should see your doctor for confirmation. Primary lactose intolerance is permanent. There is no prescription medication or procedure that will correct it.
Therapy revolves around lactose avoidance by dietary manipulation.
The strictness of the low lactose diet depends on how much the symptoms bother you and how many symptoms you are willing to tolerate. Obviously, a low lactose diet restricts milk and milk products. Labels should be checked to see if foods contain milk derivatives such as casein, whey, skimmed milk, non-fat milk solids and hydrolysed whey. One common misconception is that skim milk or low-fat milk will help lactose intolerance. While these products do have reduced fat, the amount of lactose is the same as whole milk.