Dumping Syndrome

CLINICAL NUTRITION 3(2+1)
Lesson 13: Dumping Syndrome and Disaccharide Intolerance

Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome occurs when the contents of the stomach empty too quickly into the small intestine. The partially digested food draws excess fluid into the small intestine causing nausea, cramping, diarrhea, sweating, faintness, and palpitations. Dumping usually occurs after the consumption of too much simple or refined sugar in people who have had surgery to modify or remove all or part of the stomach.

The rate of gastric emptying is regulated in such a manner that food is released slowly into the small intestine. Such precise control ensures the efficient digestion, absorption and metabolism of various nutrients.

Thus nutrients enter the duodenum at a rate below total intestinal absorptive capacity and about 85% of food is digested and absorbed by the time it reaches mid small intestine.

If a patient undergoes even partial gastrectomy, the capacity of the stomach to control the rate of emptying is decreased. Thus large quantities of undigested, liquid meal containing glucose, fat and protein will be ‘dumped’ into the small intestine. This is known as ‘dumping syndrome’ and it triggers a variety of symptoms

  • Early satiety
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Palpitations
  • Abdominal distention
  • Diarrhoea
Gastrectomy: Removal of stomach or a part of it
Satiety: Satisfaction

The concentrated liquids passing into the small intestines disturb the osmotic pressure and lead to conditions herein more water from surrounding tissues enters into the intestines. This once again leads to abdominal distention and diarrhea. Loss of fluid from the tissues leads to a drop in the blood pressure and palpitations.

Eating small meals, avoiding liquids with meals, eating slowly and frequently can help in alleviating the symptoms of ‘dumping syndrome’.

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Last modified: Friday, 4 November 2011, 6:18 AM