Gastric dumping syndrome facts for kids

Dumping syndrome, also called rapid gastric emptying, is a condition where food moves too quickly from your stomach into your small intestine. This can happen after certain types of stomach surgery. When food rushes through, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms like stomach cramps, feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), throwing up (vomiting), and diarrhea. You might also feel dizzy or very tired.

What is Dumping Syndrome?

Dumping syndrome happens when your stomach empties its contents faster than it should. Normally, your stomach slowly releases digested food into your small intestine. This slow process allows your body to absorb nutrients properly. With dumping syndrome, this process speeds up, causing problems.

Why Does it Happen?

The most common reason someone gets dumping syndrome is after surgery on their stomach or esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). These surgeries can change how your stomach holds food or how it releases it. For example, if part of your stomach is removed, or if the opening to your small intestine is made wider, food can "dump" too fast.

Who Can Get It?

While it's mostly seen after stomach surgery, sometimes people can have mild dumping syndrome even without surgery. However, it's much more common and usually more severe in people who have had operations like:

• Weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery)
• Surgery for stomach ulcers
• Surgery to remove part of the stomach due to cancer

What Are the Symptoms?

Dumping syndrome can cause different symptoms depending on when they appear after you eat. Doctors often divide them into "early" and "late" symptoms.

Early Symptoms

These symptoms usually start within 10 to 30 minutes after you finish eating. They happen because food rushes into your small intestine too quickly.

• Stomach cramps: A painful feeling in your belly.
• Nausea: Feeling sick to your stomach.
• Vomiting: Throwing up.
• Diarrhea: Loose, watery bowel movements.
• Bloating: Feeling full and swollen in your stomach area.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: Feeling like you might faint.
• Rapid heartbeat: Your heart beating faster than usual.
• Sweating: Breaking out in a sweat.

Late Symptoms

These symptoms usually show up one to three hours after eating. They are often related to changes in your blood sugar levels. When sugary foods rush into your intestine, your body releases a lot of insulin, which can then cause your blood sugar to drop too low.

• Weakness or fatigue: Feeling very tired and lacking energy.
• Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded.
• Sweating: Breaking out in a sweat.
• Confusion: Feeling muddled or unable to think clearly.
• Hunger: Feeling very hungry, even after just eating.
• Shaking: Trembling or shivering.

How Do Doctors Diagnose It?

If you have symptoms of dumping syndrome, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, especially if you've had stomach surgery. They might also do some tests:

• Symptom review: They will listen carefully to your symptoms and when they happen.
• Glucose tolerance test: This test measures how your body handles sugar. You drink a sugary liquid, and your blood sugar is checked over time. This can help see if your blood sugar drops too low, which is common in late dumping syndrome.
• Gastric emptying scan: This test measures how fast food leaves your stomach. You eat a meal with a small amount of a safe radioactive material, and a special camera tracks its movement.

How is Dumping Syndrome Treated?

The main way to manage dumping syndrome is by changing what and how you eat. In some cases, medication or even another surgery might be needed.

Diet Changes

These are the most important steps to control symptoms:

• Eat smaller meals more often: Instead of three big meals, try eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day.
• Chew food thoroughly: This helps your stomach break down food more easily.
• Avoid sugary foods: Limit sweets, sugary drinks, and high-sugar desserts, as these can trigger symptoms.
• Increase fiber and protein: Foods rich in fiber (like whole grains, fruits, vegetables) and protein (like lean meats, eggs, beans) can help slow down digestion.
• Drink liquids between meals: Try not to drink a lot of liquids with your meals. Drink about 30 minutes before or after eating. This helps prevent food from rushing through too quickly.
• Lie down after eating: Lying down for 20-30 minutes after meals can help slow down how fast food leaves your stomach.

Medications

If diet changes aren't enough, your doctor might prescribe medicine. These medicines can help slow down how fast food moves through your digestive system.

Surgery

In rare and severe cases where other treatments don't work, another surgery might be considered. This surgery aims to correct the problem that is causing the rapid emptying.

Living with Dumping Syndrome

Most people with dumping syndrome find that their symptoms improve over time, especially with careful diet changes. It's important to work closely with your doctor or a dietitian (a food expert) to find the best eating plan for you. Learning what foods trigger your symptoms and avoiding them can help you feel much better.