This is a health condition in which food (especially high in sugar) moves too fast from the stomach to the small intestine after eating. This health problem is known as dumping syndrome or rapid gastric emptying. The most common treatment for this syndrome is surgery on the esophagus or stomach.
The symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes after eating in people with dumping syndrome. Some of them experience symptoms within 3 hours after eating while others notice both early and later symptoms.
The recurrence of this condition can be prevented with diet changes after surgery. These commonly include small meals with limited high-sugar foods. If you develop a serious form of dumping syndrome, you may need medicines or surgery.
Symptoms
Several minutes are enough to experience dumping syndrome symptoms in most cases, especially if you eat foods rich in sugar (sucrose) or fruit sugar (fructose). Check below some early symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bloating after meals
- Fast heart rate
Commonly, within 3 hours after eating high-sugar meals late symptoms happen. It takes more time for symptoms to appear because the pancreas produces insulin that absorbs the sugar that enters the small intestine. As a result, low blood sugar can occur. Check below some late symptoms:
- Flushing
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Increased heart rate
Additionally, there are people who experience both early and late symptoms. You should visit a doctor if the symptoms do not improve despite dietary changes or experience unexplained weight loss.
Causes
In people with this syndrome, the gastric juice and food from the stomach go to the small intestine abnormally fast. In most cases, the primary cause of this condition is stomach surgery or major esophageal surgery (including the removal of the esophagus). Rarely, does it happen due to surgery history or other causes.
Stomach and Pyloric Valve
The human stomach is a muscular sac and the size is similar to a melon. When you drink or eat it expands. The stomach can hold roughly a gallon (3.8 liters) of food or drinks. Thereafter, it begins to break down the food, and this process is known as peristaltic waves (strong muscular contractions) that help move food to the pyloric valve. This valve is located at the beginning of the small intestine also known as the duodenum.
Risk Factors
An increased risk of dumping syndrome have people who experience surgery that involves certain changes in the stomach. However, most people experience these surgeries to treat obesity, esophageal cancer, or other diseases. Check below some surgeries that could increase your risk of dumping syndrome:
- Bariatric surgery – This procedure is used in the morbid obesity treatment.
- Gastrectomy – In such cases, a part of the stomach is removed.
- Esophagectomy – This surgery involves the removal of all or a part of the esophagus.
- Fundoplication – A surgery used to treat hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Vagotomy – Used usually in the treatment of stomach ulcers.
- Pyloroplasty – A special procedure that helps to widen the valve to the stomach. It allows the food to pass.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
The food enters the stomach and then passes to the small intestine before gastric bypass. After you experience the surgery, you cannot eat the same amount of food due to a smaller stomach sac. Additionally, after surgery, the foods are redirected. So, it bypasses most of the stomach and duodenum. Therefore, this food goes directly into the middle small intestine section (known as jejunum). This food redirection prevents fully absorbing calories.
Diagnosis
Doctors use the following tests and evaluations to diagnose dumping syndrome. For example:
- Blood sugar test – This test is done to determine if you have low blood sugar which in some cases is linked with dumping syndrome.
- Gastric emptying test – A special radioactive substance is added to food to determine how fast the food moves through the stomach.
- Medical history – Healthcare providers can ask you questions about symptoms, stomach surgery, and others.
Treatment
For those who suffer from early dumping syndrome, it goes away on its own within 3 months commonly. However, if you have a more severe form of this condition, you may need dietary changes, medications, or even surgery.
Medicines
In case you do not notice any improvements after dietary changes, doctors may prescribe some medications. One of the medications is Octreotide. This is an anti-diarrhea medicine taken by injection under the skin. It works by slowing the emptying of food into the gut. Nausea, diarrhea, and fatty stools (steatorrhea) are the common adverse reactions to this medicine.
Surgery
Surgery is commonly used in dumping syndrome treatment when other methods do not work. The most common surgeries used to treat this condition are reconstructing the pylorus or reverse gastric bypass surgery.
In some cases, people can administer some supplements (including pectin or guar gum) to reduce the food’s progress through the intestines. However, discuss with your doctor before using any medicines or supplements because it may worsen the condition.
Self Care
The following tips can help you to lessen the symptoms and keep good nutrition. For example:
- Eat smaller meals 5-6 times daily instead of 2-3 but large.
- It is advised to lie down for roughly 30 minutes after eating.
- You can also drink more fluid between meals. However, you should not drink anything before and after a meal for at least 30 minutes.
- Dietary changes – It is recommended to eat more protein (such as meat, poultry, creamy peanut butter, and fish), carbohydrates (including oatmeal), and whole-grain foods rich in fiber. You should also limit or avoid foods high in sugar (such as candies, table sugar, syrups, sodas, and juices).
- Discuss with your healthcare professional about drinking alcoholic products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of dumping syndrome?
- Flushing
- Diarrhea
- Fast heart rate
- Dizziness
- Bloating
- Abdominal cramps
In case you experience any of the symptoms listed above, do not hesitate to visit a doctor.
What is the most commonly prescribed medicine for dumping syndrome?
Healthcare professionals often prescribe Acarbose to treat late dumping syndrome. In case you do not notice any improvements after getting this medicine, your doctor may advise surgery.
Is dumping syndrome a life-threatening condition?
No, it is not dangerous and usually does not provoke any health problems. However, it causes discomfort and unpleasant feelings due to food that passes too quickly into the small intestine. Ask your doctor if you have additional questions.
