Dumping syndrome

What is Dumping syndrome?

Dumping syndrome is a medical condition in which the stomach empties its contents faster than normal into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). Dumping syndrome is also known as rapid gastric emptying.

People with dumping syndrome experience symptoms such as nausea and abdominal cramps. These symptoms occur because your small intestine does not absorb nutrients from food that is not properly digested in your stomach. If you have had any type of gastric surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery, you are more likely to have dumping syndromes classify dumping syndrome into two specific types: early dumping syndrome and late dumping syndrome. Each type occurs at different times after eating and causes different symptoms.

There are two types of dumping syndrome. The types depend on when your symptoms start:

Early discharge syndrome. This happens 10 to 30 minutes after eating. About 75% of people with dumping syndrome have this type.

Late discharge syndrome. This happens 1 to 3 hours after eating. About 25 percent of people with dumping syndrome have this type.

Each type of dumping syndrome has different characteristics. Some people have early and late dumping syndrome.

Stages of dumping syndrome

Symptoms of early dumping syndrome can include bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

There are two stages of dumping syndrome:

Early emptying syndrome: Symptoms begin 10 to 30 minutes after eating.

Delayed emptying syndrome: Symptoms begin 2 to 3 hours after eating.

According to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately 75% of people with dumping syndrome experience early dumping syndrome and 25% experience late dumping syndrome. Some people experience two stages.

What are the symptoms of dumping syndrome?

The symptoms of dumping syndrome depend on the type of dumping syndrome you have.

Early discharge syndrome usually occurs within 30 minutes after the end of the meal. If you live with early dumping syndrome, your symptoms may include:

Nausea

Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps.

Feels bloated

Weakness

Dizziness

Cold sweats

Symptoms of late emptying syndrome usually appear 2 to 3 hours after a meal. Your characteristics may include:

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

Weakness

Cold sweats

Dizziness

Fast or irregular heartbeat

Causes of dumping syndrome

Generally, when you eat, food passes from your stomach to your intestines for many hours. In the intestines, nutrients are absorbed from food, and digestive juices break down food further.

With dumping syndrome, food moves from the stomach to the intestines very quickly.

Early evacuation syndrome occurs when a large amount of fluid passes from the bloodstream to the intestine due to a sudden influx of food into the intestine. This excess fluid can cause diarrhea and bloating. Your intestine also releases substances that speed up your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. This can lead to symptoms such as a fast heart rate and dizziness.

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Late dumping syndrome is caused by an increase in carbohydrates and sugars in the intestines. First, too much sugar can make your blood sugar rise. Your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin to move sugar (glucose) from your blood into your cells. This extra insulin spike makes your blood sugar drop very low. Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia.

Surgery that makes your abdomen smaller or larger can cause dumping syndrome. After surgery, food moves faster than normal from your stomach to your small intestine. Surgery that affects the way the stomach empties food can also cause this condition.

Types of surgery that can cause dumping syndrome:

Gastrectomy This surgery removes part or all of your stomach.

Gastric bypass (rooks-n-y). This procedure creates a small pouch in your stomach to keep you from overeating. The pouch is attached to your small intestine.

Esophagus. This surgery removes part or all of your esophagus. This can lead to esophageal cancer or stomach damage.