What is Dumping Syndrome?
Dumping syndrome is a relatively rare disorder in which the stomach's contents
are delivered too quickly to the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal
pain, bloating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and dizziness. In addition, people
with this syndrome often suffer from low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, because
the rapid "dumping" of food triggers the pancreas to release excessive
amounts of insulin into the bloodstream.
Dumping syndrome classically develops after gallbladder
surgery, although it may also occur after other abdominal operations, such as
ulcer surgery or surgery for severe reflux. Less frequently, it may be seen
in people born with unusually small stomachs and, even more rarely, in those
with no stomach abnormalities at all. In people with no obvious causes, doctors
may diagnose dumping syndrome by having a patient eat food labeled with radioactive
markers and then taking X-ray pictures of his or her stomach to see how quickly
it empties. Treatment includes eating smaller, more frequent meals and limiting
fluid intake. Medicines such as Questran can also be very helpful to control
the abdominal cramping and diarrhea which may result.
syndrome may also be confused with something called "gastrocolic reflex."
This is a normal response in which the colon contracts after a meal, when the
food passes from the stomach into the upper part of the small intestine. In
some people, the whole colon is involved in this reflex, triggering cramping
and/or diarrhea. In others, only the lower portion of the colon is affected,
and a solid bowel movement occurs. There is no specific therapy for gastrocolic
reflex . However, some people notice fewer and less severe symptoms if they
eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Created: 12/23/2003  - Donnica Moore, M.D.