Patient Information About Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome is a rare disorder that is characterized by partially-digested food being sent from the stomach into the small intestine too early. People often develop this disorder because they eat too much simple or refined sugar, according to Womensfitness.net.

Risk Factors

• People who have undergone gastrectomy, vagotomy, fundoplication or gastric bypass surgery have an increased risk for developing dumping syndrome, according to an article by gastroenterologist Andrew Ukleja for the University of Virginia. Individuals with diabetes and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome also have an increased risk of developing dumping syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Types

• Early dumping syndrome causes people to develop symptoms right after eating. People with late dumping syndrome experience symptoms between an hour and three hours after eating a meal.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of dumping syndrome include nausea, diarrhea, excessive sweating, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headaches, flushing, palpitations and/or problems concentrating.

Diagnosis

• Physicians often use a medical history and physical exam to diagnose dumping syndrome. Sometimes they perform a blood glucose test, such as a random blood sugar test, to measure a patient's glucose levels.

Treatment

• Doctors often prescribe Sandostatin to slow down the food removal process in the stomach and/or Acarbose to delay the process of carbohydrate absorption.

Prevention

• It is possible to prevent dumping syndrome by eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that raise your blood sugar levels, such as pasta and foods with added sugar. You can also take antacids, which help keep food in the stomach for longer periods of time, according to physician Gabe Mirkin.