What is dumping syndrome?

Dumping syndrome is a health condition that sometimes follows after stomach surgeries, particularly those involving the removal of all or part of the stomach. 

According to Dr Pranav Honnavara Srinivasan, senior consultant, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gastrointestinal Oncology, Bariatric surgery, and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at Sparsh Hospital, Bangalore, “Dumping syndrome is a medical condition that occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from the stomach into the small intestine too quickly. This rapid gastric emptying can happen in people who have undergone gastric surgery, such as a gastrectomy or bariatric surgery, which alters the normal function of the stomach.”

The swift transit of food leads to a series of gastrointestinal and vasomotor responses.The body reacts by shifting fluid into the small intestine, he says, to dilute the contents, potentially causing abdominal discomfort and other symptoms.

Symptoms of dumping syndrome and how to manage them

Early symptoms

“Early symptoms typically occur within 10 to 30 minutes after eating. They include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and rapid heart rate,” explains Dr Srinivasan. Patients might also experience a feeling of fullness, even after eating only a small amount of food.

Early dumping syndrome is managed primarily by dietary adjustments that include eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding high-sugar foods, and increasing protein and fiber intake to slow gastric emptying.

Late symptoms

Late symptoms, he continues, occur 1 to 3 hours after eating, mainly due to the rapid absorption of sugar leading to a spike in insulin levels, which may cause hypoglycemia. Symptoms include weakness, sweating, faintness, dizziness, fatigue, and sometimes confusion.

Also managed by diet, focusing particularly on limiting high-glycemic-index carbohydrates to stabilise blood sugar levels. Patients are advised to eat protein with each meal and avoid simple sugars.

Early dumping syndrome is managed primarily by dietary adjustments (Source: Freepik)

Dietary and lifestyle modifications to alleviate the symptoms

Dr Srinivasan says, “It’s crucial for these patients to monitor their symptoms closely and adjust their eating habits and lifestyle accordingly to manage the condition effectively.” He lists them as follows:

*Meal structure: Eat smaller, frequent meals throughout the day and avoid drinking fluids during meals to reduce the speed of stomach emptying.

*Food selection: Focus on foods that are low in simple carbohydrates and high in protein, fibre, and complex carbohydrates. These help stabilise digestion and blood sugar levels.

*Eating behaviour: Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly to aid the digestive process and manage symptoms effectively.

*Lifestyle adjustments: Avoiding alcohol and smoking can also help, as these can exacerbate symptoms.

Medications and treatments for dumping syndrome

Several treatment options can be used to manage symptoms, according to Dr Srinivasan, including:

Octreotide: An injectable drug that slows gastric emptying and can be used in severe cases of dumping syndrome.

Acarbose: Helps slow carbohydrate absorption and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia in late dumping syndrome.

Surgical options: In severe cases not responding to lifestyle and medical treatments, surgery may be needed to reorient the stomach and intestines or reverse the previous surgery to control the rate of food entering the intestine.

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