Dumping syndrome

Description

The Dumping syndrome is a condition in which food, especially foods high in sugar, moves from your stomach into the small intestine too quickly after you eat. Sometimes called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome, most often occurs as a result of a surgery on your stomach or esophagus.

Most people with dumping syndrome develop signs and symptoms, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea, from 10 to 30 minutes after eating. Other people have symptoms from 1 to 3 hours after eating. And still others have early and late symptoms.

Usually, you can help prevent dumping syndrome, by changing his diet after the surgery. The changes may include eating smaller meals, and the limitation of the high sugar content of the food. In the most serious cases of dumping syndrome, you may need medications or surgery.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of dumping syndrome, usually occurring within minutes after eating, especially after a meal rich in table sugar (sucrose) or fruit sugar (fructose). They include:

  • Feeling bloated or too full after eating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness,
  • Rapid heart rate

Late dumping syndrome starts from 1 to 3 hours after eating a high-sugar meal. It takes time for the signs and symptoms due to that after eating, the body releases large amounts of insulin to absorb the sugar from entering the small intestine. The result is a low blood sugar.

The signs and symptoms of late dumping syndrome may include:

  • Sweating
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness,
  • Weakness
  • Rapid heart rate

Some people have both the early and late signs and symptoms. And the dumping syndrome may develop years after the surgery.

When to see a doctor

Contact your health-care provider if any of the following apply to you.

  • They develop signs and symptoms that may be due to dumping syndrome, even if
    you have not had the surgery.
  • Your symptoms are not controlled by changes in the diet.
  • You are losing large amounts of weight due to dumping syndrome. Your doctor may
    refer you to a registered dietitian to help you create a food plan.

Causes

In the dumping syndrome, the food and the gastric juices of the stomach to move into your small intestine in an uncontrolled, abnormally fast way. This is most often related to the changes in his stomach associated with surgery, including any stomach surgery or major esophageal surgery, such as removal of the esophagus (esophagectomy). But in rare cases, dumping syndrome, can develop without a history of surgery or other obvious causes.

Risk factors

Surgery that alters the stomach may increase the risk of dumping syndrome. These surgeries are most commonly performed to treat obesity, but are also part of the treatment for stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and other conditions. These surgeries are:

  • Bariatric surgery — particularly gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-y operation) or sleeve gastrectomy — is performed for the treatment of morbid obesity.
  • Gastrectomy, in which a part or all of their stomach removed.
  • Esophagectomy, in which all or part of the tube between the mouth and the stomach is removed.
  • Fundoplication, a procedure that is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia
  • Vagotomy, a type of surgery for the treatment of stomach ulcers.
  • Pyloroplasty, which is made to extend the valve for the stomach (pylorus), allowing food to pass through.

Dumping syndrome

Diagnosis

Your health care provider may use some of the following methods to determine if you have dumping syndrome.

  • The clinical history and assessment. Your doctor can usually diagnose dumping syndrome by taking a medical history, especially if you have had stomach surgery, and the assessment of its signs and symptoms.
  • Blood sugar test. Because low blood sugar is sometimes associated with the dumping syndrome, your doctor may order a test oral glucose tolerance) to measure the level of sugar in the rush hour of your symptoms to help confirm the diagnosis.
  • The gastric emptying of the test. A radioactive material is added to food in order to measure the speed with which food moves through your stomach.

Treatment

Early dumping syndrome, is likely to resolve on its own in a period of three months. In the meantime, there's a good chance that the changes in the diet is going to relieve your symptoms. If not, your doctor may recommend medication or surgery.

Drugs

If changes to your diet does not improve the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe treatment with octreotide (Sandostatin). This anti-diarrheal drug, given by injection under the skin, can slow the emptying of food into the intestine. Possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea and fatty stools (steatorrhea).

Talk with your doctor about the correct way to administer the drug.

Surgery

If traditional methods don't help, surgery may be recommended. Depending on your situation, the surgical procedures for the treatment of dumping syndrome may include the reconstruction of the pylorus, or surgery to reverse gastric bypass surgery.

Self-care

Here are some of the dietary strategies that can help you maintain good nutrition and minimize his symptoms.

  • Eat smaller meals. Try eating 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of three large ones.
  • Eat slowly, chew your food completely and sit in an upright position for 30 to 60 minutes after eating. You may have cramping, diarrhea, or nausea if you eat too much at once.
  • Drink most of your liquids between meals. In the first place, not to drink anything for 30 to 60 minutes before and after meals.
  • Drink 6 to 8 cups (1.4 to 1.9 liters) of fluids a day. In the first place, the liquid limit with meals to 1/2 cup (118 milliliters). Increase of liquid with meals as tolerated.
  • Change your diet.Eat more proteins, including meat, chicken, creamy peanut butter, and fish, and complex carbohydrates, such as oatmeal and other whole foods with high fiber content. Limit high-sugar foods, such as candy, table sugar, honey, soft drinks and juices. The natural sugar in dairy products (lactose) that can worsen their symptoms. Try small amounts at first, or remove them if you think that is causing problems. It is possible that you want to see a dietitian for more advice on what to eat.
  • Increase the consumption of fiber. Guar gum and pectin in food or supplements that can delay the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine.
  • Please consult with your doctor about the consumption of alcohol.

Change your diet. Eat more proteins, including meat, chicken, creamy peanut butter, and fish, and complex carbohydrates, such as oatmeal and other whole foods with high fiber content. Limit high-sugar foods, such as candy, table sugar, honey, soft drinks and juices.

The natural sugar in dairy products (lactose) that can worsen their symptoms. Try small amounts at first, or remove them if you think that is causing problems. It is possible that you want to see a dietitian for more advice on what to eat.

Alternative medicine

Some people use supplements such as pectin and guar gum to thicken the digestive contents and slow its progress through the intestines. If you decide to try a supplement, talk with your doctor to obtain information about possible side effects or interactions with other medications you are taking.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have signs and symptoms of dumping syndrome, it is likely to first see your family doctor. Then, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the digestive system (gastroenterologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
  • List of all the medications, vitamins, or other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Have a family member or a friend to help you remember everything.
  • Carry your medical records about the past of treatment, especially surgery of the stomach.
  • Write questions to ask their health care provider.

Questions to ask your doctor

To the dumping syndrome, some basic questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • Should I see a dietitian?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask questions such as:

  • Has had stomach surgery, and if so, what type?
  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How long after you eat, do your symptoms begin?
  • Do certain foods make your symptoms worse?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Dumping syndrome